City of Norwich Alderman Dave Zieno, Alderwoman Nancy Allaire, Mayor Brian Doliver, Alderman Robert Jeffrey, Alderman Bill Loomis, DPW Superintendent Ed Pepe and Alderman Eric Warren on East Main Street where the water main replacement project began. (Photo by Lilli Iannella)

NORWICH — Construction work in downtown Norwich officially began yesterday as Department of Public Works (DPW) crews broke ground on the water main replacement project.

Roadwork will be completed overnight from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Monday through Thursday each week, now through August 31, said DPW Superintendent Ed Pepe.

The project began on East Main Street near the City of Norwich Police Department and will work its way west to the Main Street and Broad Street intersection. Afterwards, the DPW crew will work along South Broad Street from approximately the Prentice and Broad Street intersection to the Mechanic and Broad Street intersection.

The DPW placed message boards on North Broad Street and Route 12 near Speedway to alert residents of the construction work. Additionally, City of Norwich Mayor Brian Doliver said leaflets will be distributed to residents and business owners in the construction area as the work nears their residence or place of business.

Pepe said a section of American Avenue will be closed to allow for the storage of excavators.

Following the project, the New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin the repaving of East Main Street and South Broad Street. Repaving on East Main Street is scheduled to begin in September.

For updates on the water main replacement project and East Main and South Broad Street repaving, visit the City of Norwich, New York Facebook page.