Weymouth breaks ground on $10.6 million Columbian Square reconstruction project

WEYMOUTH -- December 19, 2022, Weymouth breaks ground on a $10.6 million reconstruction of Columbian Square, the town's largest active capital project. Mayor Robert Hedlund led the December 19 ceremony alongside Planning Director Bob Luongo, contractor P.A. Landers, and engineering firm Green International, with Congressman Stephen Lynch credited for securing federal funding to supplement state grants, capital budget funds, and ARPA money. The design moving into construction was a fourth alternative developed collaboratively by residents, district councilors, and the planning department after a community process Hedlund once thought would never yield consensus. Luongo, who lives near the square and had his own car totaled there, called the project "not a perfect solution" but said it should improve traffic safety and pedestrian conditions while leveraging private investment already visible in two nearby development projects totaling roughly 29 new residential units and new ground-floor commercial space.