ATTLEBORO - A natural gas main running through the center of downtown is slated for replacement starting early this week.

Public works Superintendent John Clover said the job, which will run on Park Street, between Route 152 and Pine Street, could start Monday and will be done in two phases.

The section between the railroad arches and the intersection of Pine is slated to be done first and at night.

The section between Route 152 and the arches will be done during the day.

While the day work will cause traffic congestion, Clover requested it to avoid disturbing the sleep of numerous apartment dwellers who live along Park between Route 152 and the arches, he said. Bay State Gas is replacing the mains as the result of the city's downtown streetscape beautification project.

Clover asked all utility companies to do scheduled work soon to avoid digging up the road after beautification is done.

Other projects

In related news, Bay State also is replacing a main on Route 152 between Commonwealth Avenue and Tanager Road.

Also, the reconstruction of the intersection of Route 152 and Toner Boulevard could start by fall, Clover said.

Bids for the job were opened about a week ago and the contract for the state project is expected to be awarded soon, he said.