Project Updates
March 20, 2026 Update
Work for the New Central Elementary School Project will begin this spring! Site development and enabling activities will kick off in late March 2026 to create the construction site and prepare the existing fields for the new building layout.
Construction activities will be scheduled around School operations. No deliveries will be allowed during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up schedules and will be coordinated with East Bridgewater Police detail officer presence. Work includes careful and safe separation of the new building site from the Jr/Sr High School and Central Elementary School buildings, driveways, parking lots and sidewalks. Play areas will be protected from construction and remain accessible and functional. All School systems and services will remain operational.
The first portion of work involves Pre-Loading the new building footprint with a stockpile of gravel for weight settlement and to compact the area for new foundations. This requires truck deliveries to the site from Route 18 and will be done remotely from both Jr/Sr High School and Central Elementary School.
What to expect during the Pre-Loading portion:
- Pedestrian, School Bus and vehicle access will be protected and remain
unchanged. - Construction vehicle access will be coordinated around morning drop-off and
afternoon pick-up hours. - No construction deliveries will be allowed during drop-off and pick-up times.
Stockpile loads will arrive via dump truck over the period of April 6, 2026, to
June 12, 2026, weekdays Mondays through Fridays. - Loading work will continue through April School recess to add truck cycles
while Students are away and improve overall duration where possible. - Once loading work is complete, site activity will reduce and all will be monitored
for settlement for a period ranging from 6 to 10 months.
Upcoming Activities – Starting March 25, 2026:
- Mobilizing construction equipment
- Installing protective storm drain filters/erosion controls
- Salvage and relocation of 2 bleachers
- Salvage and storage of 2 Stone Memorials
- Modular concrete block retaining wall construction
- Modifications/removal to center driveway island from Rte. 18
- Stabilized construction vehicle entrance development
- New temporary storm drainage system
- Former field loam and fill stripping/stockpiling
- Miscellaneous remaining underground demolition/removals/modifications
- Installation of settlement monitoring system
- Trucking of structural gravel fill to the site starting April 6, 2026
February 13, 2026 Update
The site of the new Central Elementary School, located off Route 18/Bedford Street, will begin to see visible activity in the coming months as the project moves into the early stages of construction preparation.
Starting on Tuesday, February 17, the Construction Manager, Gilbane, will install an 8-foot-tall chain link fence with privacy scrim around the perimeter of the project site. This fencing is an important safety measure and will clearly define the construction limits while protecting the public and preventing unauthorized access.
Following the installation of the fence, site preparation activities will continue with the placement of “pre-load” fill beginning in March for about a 6-8 week duration. Pre-loading is a standard geotechnical process used to improve soil conditions and ensure a stable foundation for the future school building. The fill material will be temporarily stockpiled and graded across portions of the site, where its weight will compress and strengthen the underlying soils over time. This pre-load fill will remain in place for approximately 6-9 months based on the settlement monitoring.
Towards the end of 2026, the pre-load material will be removed. Immediately following its removal, excavation work will begin for the building foundations. This marks a major milestone, as it represents the transition from site preparation into the vertical construction phase of the new school.
In parallel with these site activities, the School Building Committee will continue to meet regularly to oversee the project’s progress. Upcoming meetings will be held on Tuesday, February 24; Tuesday, March 10; and Tuesday, March 24. All meetings will take place in the Library at the Jr./Sr. High School and will begin at 5:00 PM. These meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and stay informed about the project.
Additional updates will be provided as the project advances and more visible construction activities begin.
January 26, 2026 Update
We’re excited to share a project update as we continue to move forward with the Central Elementary School project. Over the next several months, the team will be focused on continuing to refine the design by coordinating with teachers and faculty to confirm educational priorities, reviewing floor plans and room layouts, while preparing design submissions to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) and for future presentations and community updates to the public. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it plays a major role in making sure the project stays aligned with the District’s needs, budget, and schedule.
As the project progresses, the Construction Manager (CM), Gilbane, will be an essential partner throughout the process starting with an early release package. A Construction Manager is responsible for overseeing key elements of planning and design, construction, managing schedule, cost, quality, and risk. Their role includes developing and tracking schedules, providing cost estimates and budget support, identifying risks early and helping solve issues proactively, coordinating and managing subcontractors, and prioritizing safety and site logistics.
Currently, the project is in the Design Development (DD) phase. This is when the design becomes more detailed and specific, building off the preliminary concepts and turning them into more defined plans. During Design Development, the team will continue to finalize layouts and key building features, confirm building systems such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing, and refine learning spaces to best support students and staff. Site planning will also continue, including parking, traffic flow, playground areas, and the community fields, while updated cost estimates are developed as the design becomes more complete. This phase is an important milestone because it sets the foundation for the final construction documents.
Community engagement will continue to be a central part of the process. The project team is committed to keeping families, staff, and residents informed and involved through public outreach opportunities. This will include a community forum where updates will be shared and questions can be asked directly, along with ongoing presentations at public meetings and regular project communications through monthly newsletters and District updates. We encourage everyone to stay connected and participate whenever possible as your feedback plays an important role in shaping the future of Central Elementary School.
The latest renderings for the East Bridgewater project can be seen below. This is the design that was submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority on August 28, 2025.
Watch these mini video’s about the existing school
Episode 1 – Gym
Episode 2 – Accessibility
Episode 3 – Classroom Challenges
Episode 4 – Hallway Difficulties
Episode 5 – Temporary Modules
Episode 6 – Arts & Crafts Room
Episode 7 – Cafeteria Problems
Episode 8 – Server Room Mess
Episode 9 – Nurses Room
Episode 10 – 3rd Floor Ventilation
Episode 11 – Bathrooms
Project Timeline and Status
March 24, 2026
Town of East Bridgewater approves the Design Development set to be submitted to MSBA
January 21, 2026
East Bridgewater Enlists Gilbane as their Construction Manager at Risk
November 15, 2025
Town of East Bridgewater approves the Project
August 28, 2025
East Bridgewater Submits the Schematic Design to the MSBA
JUNE 18, 2025
MSBA Approves East Bridgewater to move into Schematic Design
May 1, 2025
East Bridgewater Submits the Preferred Schematic Report to the MSBA
January 9, 2025
East Bridgewater Preliminary Design Program to the MSBA
September 23, 2024
East Bridgewater Enlists Raymond Design Associates as their Designer
May 2, 2024
East Bridgewater Enlists LeftField , LLC as their Owner’s Project Manager (OPM)
February 28, 2024
MSBA invites East Bridgewater to the Feasibility Study for Central Elementary School
December 22, 2022
MSBA Invites East Bridgewater to the Eligibility Period for an MSBA Project for Central Elementary School
April 2, 2022
East Bridgewater Submitts a Statement of Interest to the MSBA for the Central Elementary School project
Shortcuts
MSBA WEBSITE
Click here for more information about funding and protocols of capital improvement projects in the Commonwealth’s public schools
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Click here for a reference guide to clarify context and meaning to common terms used in the building process for public projects