EASTON — Superintendent Lisha Cabral and the Easton School Planning Committee would like to provide an update on the construction of the Blanche A. Ames Elementary School, as well as share planned traffic patterns for Parkview and Easton Middle School ahead of the school year.
Construction is currently on time and 67% complete, with substantial completion of the building expected in October. Students and staff are expected to transition into the building in January 2023, and Phase II work — which includes the demolition of the Parkview building — will take place during the winter and spring of 2023.
The project is currently under budget with a current construction cost estimate of $65.1 million. The initial construction cost estimate approved by voters was $74.8 million.
The district would also like to remind families that traffic will be fluid this fall. Traffic patterns will likely evolve throughout the fall as building construction is completed and the transition to the new building begins.
At the Parkview School (below), school buses will enter and exit from Columbus Avenue, and parents will enter and exit from Spooner Street. Access on the Lothrop Street side of the building will be for construction vehicles only.
At Easton Middle School (below), bus drop off will take place in the rear of the building similar to previous years, and buses will exit via Columbus Avenue. Parent drop off and pick up will be via Spooner Street.
Parents are encouraged to review the maps and traffic circulation as some roadways and entrances around the buildings will be inaccessible or for construction vehicles only.
“The Easton Public Schools and Easton School Planning Committee are grateful for the incredible support of the community over the last several years as we worked to make this building a reality,” Superintendent Cabral said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience in the coming months as construction continues, and we look forward to the day our staff and students will begin teaching and learning in their new space.”
The full presentation, including construction updates and the proposed back-to-school traffic patterns, can be viewed by clicking here.