'Very exciting time': Braintree starts work on new $66.7 million South Middle School

Fred Hanson, The Patriot Ledger
·2 min read

BRAINTREE – A work-area fence began going up Tuesday, signaling the start of construction of the new South Middle School.

Once the fence and erosion controls around the work area are completed, site work will begin. That is scheduled to start Jan. 26, members of the school building committee were told last Monday night.

The new South Middle School will be the town's first all-new school in the half century since Braintree High School was built.

See COVID numbers for your town: More than 20,000 cases on South Shore in last 2 weeks

Braintree's highest earners: Police, managers top salary list - see the full list

"This is a very exciting time for Braintree," said Mayor Charles Kokoros. "It has been a very long road, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of such a momentous occasion."

A rendering shows a plan for the new South Middle School in Braintree.
A rendering shows a plan for the new South Middle School in Braintree.

The mayor said the coronavirus pandemic delayed the vote on a temporary tax increase needed to help pay for the project, and bid challenges slowed down the award of the construction contract.

Bacon Construction of East Providence, Rhode Island, is the general contractor for the project, winning the contract with a bid of $66.7 million, less than the $69.18 million appropriated.

An interior space of the new South Middle School in Braintree as shown in an architect's drawing.
An interior space of the new South Middle School in Braintree as shown in an architect's drawing.

Don Maver, who will be Bacon's supervisor on the project, and Michael Carroll, who will be the town's project manager, briefed the school building committee and residents on the project details at the meeting.

Let's Eat, Ledgerland: Braintree's Lychee Bistro is about 'making food fun'

Construction vehicles will enter the work area behind the school via the main entrance on Peach Street, and deliveries will be prohibited for a half hour at school drop-off and dismissal times, Carroll said. The work hours will be between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Walking access to the school from Celia and Kenmore roads will be closed off during construction, and students will have to enter from Peach Street.

Plans show the exterior of the new South Middle School in Braintree.
Plans show the exterior of the new South Middle School in Braintree.

Crews will be doing tests next month to determine if blasting will be needed to remove ledge on the property. Carroll said residents would be notified before any blasting takes place and officials will try to schedule the work during school vacations.

The new school is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2023-24 school year.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Braintree starts construction new $66.7 million South Middle School