New traffic signals installed near Hospital Road are expected to be activated in August, as work on the Symmes project gets underway.

Erik Abell said July 12 that delays in moving poles and negotiations over the cost of a parking redesign at McClennen Park will push back the end of the the $4.8 million reconstruction project, underway since spring 2004, until nearly December. If negotiations about the costs at McClennen Park continue in late fall, the paving work could "spill over into next spring," he said.

Before road rebuilding from Park Avenue Extension to the Lexington line takes place, 25 to 30 utility poles and wires must be moved.

"Verizon expects to add second crew next week" to address that work, Abell said. He said he did not know exactly when those poles will be moved, but that is expected to occur "before the fall."

A MassHighway Web link, which was updated July 6, calls the project 89 percent complete and says construction is to end in August 2007.

Last December, about 90 people heard an update about the project: Work to Lexington line was to begin in March, with completion this summer.

That timetable is far from reality, as the project spins its wheels over delays caused by lack of coordination among utility companies and ongoing dispute over costs.

Some evidence of change took place this week with the installation of traffic lights at Summer and Hospital Road, the entrance to the former Symmes Hospital property. Those lights, which are a short stretch from existing signals at Hemlock, are expected to be activated in August, when demolition of the former hospital is scheduled to begin.

Key initiatives required to head toward completion -- shifting poles and wires, as well as reconstructing the state road from Park Avenue Extension to the Lexington line -- remain mired in delays.

Poles obstruct walk near Rec Center in mid-July.

Barks said he had spoken with MassHighway, whose rep said he would call RCN and Comcast to find out where they are in the process. Barks cited poles near the Veterans Memorial Recreation Center as remaining to be done. He believes wires near McClennan Park are done.

Barks said he estimated that once RCN and Comcast move their wires, it will be two works after for Verizon to finish its part. He made no mention of an extra crew from his company, Verizon. That news came later in the day from the company spokesman.