GREENFIELD – Monday was the first day of construction for the city’s $1.17 million Main Street water main project.

From Colrain to Chapman Street, contract workers from Springfield-based Morais Concrete Service will work for about two months to excavate and replace a large section of the city’s water mains.

“Similar to other communities, Greenfield’s water main infrastructure is aging and requires careful monitoring to ensure it is operating effectively,” Mayor Ginny Desorgher said in a statement. “I want to thank the (Greenfield Department of Public Works) for making this work a priority and having a good understanding of the city’s infrastructure needs.”

Of the total project cost, $250,000 was funded by federal economic development grants under Chapter 268.

According to Matthew Conway, Greenfield’s communications director, work on Monday focused on the area around Chapman Street. Although there were no closures that day, the road was realigned with traffic cones to accommodate traffic on Main Street.

In the coming days, there will be no parking near the former Wilson’s Department Store. Conway said those who want to visit nearby stores should use the parking lots on either Chapman Street, Miles Street or Ames Street. He added that available parking on the street will likely decrease as construction progresses to Colrain Street.

“Parking on Main Street may be a little more inconvenient for drivers, but fortunately there are many alternative parking spaces in town that people can use,” he said.

The water main work was previously discussed at a meeting of local business representatives in March at the John Zon Community Center in connection with the city’s $7.78 million Main Street reconstruction project, which includes repavement and remodeling of a large portion of Main Street between Colrain and High Streets.

In response to concerns from business owners that the construction of a water main would result in the loss of parking spaces and a decrease in pedestrian traffic downtown, Desorgher explained that the work was necessary and that the city would do its utmost to mitigate any negative impact on businesses.

“We all know we need water, and we know the problems we’ve had in the city because we haven’t taken care of some of our infrastructure. Can I plan for all of this appropriately without impacting downtown businesses? I’d be lying if I said I did,” Desorgher said in March. “You have to take care of your infrastructure, you have to replace the water mains and fix the roads. You’re doing your best to notify one business at a time.”

DPW Director Marlo Warner II was unavailable for comment Monday and Tuesday. DPW engineer Alan Twarog declined to comment on the project by phone Monday.

Anthony Cammalleri can be reached at [email protected] or 413-930-4429.