Chelmsford is getting ready to knock down two aging firehouses and replace them with modern stations designed to boost firefighter safety while keeping local coverage intact. Work will start at the South Station on Acton Road, then move to the West Station on Old Westford Road once the first site is cleared. Town leaders and project managers expect each demolition to move quickly and are still aiming for substantial completion of both stations in fall 2027.
Demolitions Kick Off This Summer
The South Station at 295 Acton Road is scheduled to come down first, followed by the West Station at 260 Old Westford Road, with the town planning to construct both replacement buildings at the same time, as reported by The Lowell Sun. Project listings and bid postings show that procurement activity ramped up earlier this spring and that the work has shifted from design into contracting, according to ConstructConnect.
New Designs Target Contamination Risks
Consultants recommended new station layouts that shift living quarters away from the apparatus bays, add dedicated gear decontamination and storage areas, and modernize sleeping and fitness spaces to reduce exposure to diesel and other contaminants, according to the town’s Weston & Sampson feasibility report. Voters backed a $25 million debt-exclusion authorization in 2024 to pay for the rebuilds, and the town’s debt-service projections indicate the borrowing will be repaid over roughly a 20-year term.
Union Tensions Put Safety In Spotlight
IAFF Local 1839 President Robert Albon has said the drive to replace the two firehouses is rooted in firefighter health and safety concerns, and union leaders have pressed town officials in recent months over staffing and leadership issues, per coverage by Boston.com. Union pressure helped keep the new-station projects front and center during planning sessions and public outreach.
What Neighbors Should Expect On The Block
Officials say each demolition should last about a week, after which crews will move into simultaneous construction on both sites. Those timing details were reported by The Lowell Sun. Residents around the South and West stations should expect short-term construction noise, heavy equipment on-site, and occasional traffic or parking disruptions while work is under way.
What Happens Next
The twin projects mark the most significant overhaul of Chelmsford’s fire infrastructure in decades and are intended to modernize response facilities while providing better protection for fire crews. Town officials say they will share updated schedules and contact information as the work continues toward the fall 2027 substantial-completion goal.
