Contractors and city officials deserve a pat on the back for the quick completion of the downtown waterline replacement project.

The west half of the 700 and 800 blocks of Massachusetts Street was closed in late May to begin construction on a project that was expected to last through the middle of September. Aided by several weeks of hot, dry weather, contractors completed work in the 700 block and reopened the street to both lanes of traffic last week. The 800 block was opened Friday, about a month ahead of schedule.

Construction was messy and caused some inconvenience, but officials minimized the effect on downtown by agreeing to keep traffic moving in one direction down Massachusetts Street throughout the project. Additional paving work will have to be scheduled later, but workers were able to finish the construction shortly after university students returned to the city and before any home football games.

With all the street construction currently under way in Lawrence – and much more to come – it’s easy for drivers to lose their patience. It’s nice, every once in a while, though, to see a project finished ahead of schedule with a minimum of inconvenience.