The road work is scheduled to begin this week, Petrolati said.
LUDLOW — State Rep. Thomas Petrolati, D-Ludlow, said he included $1,035,000 in the House transportation bill for improvements to Center, East and Sewall streets which are needed for the Ludlow Mills reconstruction project.
Petrolati said the project will include road widening and turn lanes and new sidewalks, needed to alleviate traffic for the new development.
The road work is scheduled to begin this week, Petrolati said.
Petrolati said state Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham, has assured him that she will support approval of the funding for Ludlow when the bill is taken up by the state Senate.
“Once you make a right turn after coming over the Indian Orchard bridge, the widening will take place,” Petrolati said.
He said no road closing is anticipated during construction.
The Ludlow Mills project is one of the biggest development projects in Western Massachusetts and will result in jobs for the region, Petrolati said.
As part of the $70 million redevelopment project, HealthSouth plans to relocate to the Ludlow Mills.
HealthSouth is investing $27 million to build a new rehabilitation hospital to relocate its hospital and 240 employees to the Ludlow Mills site by the end of 2013.
A site plan for the new rehabilitative hospital was approved June 6 by an administrative review committee appointed by the Planning Board, Town Planner Douglas Stefancik said.
A comprehensive permit for the entire Ludlow Mills project already has been approved by the Planning Board, Stefancik said.
Individual projects will continue to need approval of site plans by the town’s administrative review committee, Stefancik said.
HealthSouth has purchased 10 acres along State Street from Westmass. Demolition of some existing buildings on the site will take place in July.
HealthSouth is planning to expand its 53-bed hospital to 70 beds.
WinnDevelopment is planning a $20 million 83-unit senior housing complex on four floors of Building 10 in the Ludlow Mills.