Town of Amherst Invests Nearly $4 Million Into FY27 Pavement Management and Paving Plan
a crew from the Amherst Department of Public Works, filling potholes. Photo: amherstma.gov
AMHERST, MA – The Town of Amherst is investing nearly $4 million into its pavement management and paving plan for fiscal year 2027 (FY27). This plan outlines the roads that will be paved and repaired during the upcoming fall and spring seasons, with completion expected by June 30, 2027. Roads will receive different pavement treatment methods (reclamation, micro-milling, etc.) depending on the needs of the road and availability of funds.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman stated, “This investment is a start in addressing the backlog of road and sidewalk repairs in the Town. It will be important to maintain and increase this level of investment annually for the next several years to make a meaningful impact on the overall condition of our roads.”
Roads scheduled for paving and repair include:
| Street Name | From | To |
| Blackberry Lane | Grantwood Dr | End |
| Canton Ave | Grove St | End |
| Chesterfield Drive | Columbia Dr | East Hadley Rd |
| Flat Hills Road | Shutesbury Rd | High Point Dr |
| Gatehouse Road | Belchertown Rd | Stony Hill Rd |
| Grantwood Drive | East Pleasant St | Blackberry Ln |
| Grove Street | North Whitney St | Canton Ave |
| Harvard Ave | North Whitney St | Grove St |
| Henry Street | Market Hill Rd | Pine St |
| January Hills | Market Hill Rd | Shutesbury Town Line |
| Justice Drive | Columbia Dr | Chesterfield Dr |
| Kendrick Place | Northampton Rd | End |
| Main Street | South East St | Pelham Rd |
| Market Hill Road | Henry St | Flat Hills Rd |
| Middle Street | Pomeroy Ln | Bay Rd |
| Mount Pollux Drive | South East St | End |
| North Pleasant Street | East Pleasant St | McClellan St |
| North Pleasant Street | Triangle St | Mass Ave |
| Old Farm Road | Belchertown Rd | End |
| Pomeroy Court | Pomeroy Ln | End |
| Potwine Lane | Middle St | South East St |
| Station Road | Wildflower Dr | 50 Station Rd |
| Wildflower Drive | Old Farm Rd | Tanglewood Dr |
Current Pavement Conditions
The selected roadways have been identified based on factors such as current pavement conditions, traffic volume, and the necessity for improved drainage and safety measures. The Town uses Citylogix, a pavement management software, to monitor pavement conditions, help prioritize streets requiring resurfacing, and estimate costs of treatments and rehabilitation.
Citylogix uses the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) to assess and classify the condition of roads on a scale from 0 (poor) to 100 (excellent). The 2025 Pavement Condition Map is from the most recent scan in September 2025. This shows that the average PCI for the 104-mile road network in Town is 57, or in fair condition.
Upcoming Pavement Plan
Each year, a combination of reconstruction and preventive treatments are performed on various roads in Town. The traditional reconstruction treatments address pavement surfaces that are in very poor condition and have exceeded their functional lifespan. The preventive treatments are intended to extend the life of pavement in fair to good condition and avoid more costly repairs or replacements.
This road work is scheduled to begin in October and will continue through November, sometimes longer with warmer winters. Any work not finished in the fall will be completed starting in April/May of 2027, with all work listed expected to be done by June 30, 2027. The specific paving schedule is subject to change based on weather conditions, contractor availability, and unforeseen circumstances.
Residents should anticipate temporary detours, periodic lane closures, and some noise during construction hours. The Town will make every effort to minimize disruptions and maintain access for emergency services, school buses, and local traffic. Residents are encouraged to stay updated by checking the website, signing up for news alerts (click “news flash”), and following the Town’s social media.
The Town is continually working toward improving and maintaining the condition of its roadways. The Department of Public Works is introducing enhanced maintenance capacity and updated treatment methods to extend the scope of their work. Funding is primarily through annual appropriations to the Department of Public Works, Amherst’s apportionment of MassDOT’s Chapter 90 program, and, in some cases, through grant funding.
The bid price for the FY27 paving was $3,960,148.50. However, the asphalt and diesel escalation fees have risen so the final cost could be higher based on the prices of asphalt and diesel at the time the work is performed versus the time of the bid.
Learn more about the Town of Amherst’s Pavement Management Program.