Construction will be occurring over the next few weeks in Bethel starting today.  School Street may be reduced to one lane of traffic at times. 

This is a follow up of a streetscape project launched two decades ago.  First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says phase one was on Greenwood Avenue and School Street was the next phase, but never completed. 

A state economic assistance grant is paying for decorative street lighting on both sides of School Street and to add a sidewalk along the south side of the street, where no sidewalk exists now. 

Knickerbocker notes that the work does require the removal of several trees in order to install underground utility lines.  The aging maple tree on the town hall lawn across from the School Street entrance to the library will need to be removed, due to numerous dead sections and disease. 

But he says replacements can be planted at the conclusion of the project.