Sullivan Square’s long-anticipated facelift seems to be on track, despite concerns raised recently by Congressman Mike Capuano, D-Somerville.

Late last year Capuano sent a letter to the Charlestown Neighborhood Council, questioning elements of the Sullivan Square redesign project -- which is being led by the Boston Transportation Department. Capuano said the proposal, as approved by the city, would potentially cause a traffic problem for Charlestown and create even longer backups than those seen with the current design.

But Capuano’s concerns came as a surprise to members of the Neighborhood Council who had been actively involved in the planning process for the Sullivan Square project for the better part of two years.

According to Tom Cunha, chairman of the council, the city’s plan is in line with community expectations. It’s Capuano who needs convincing.

Last week, Patch asked Capuano’s office whether the congressman was pursuing any of his concerns about the project in a formal way with the Transportation Department. Spokeswoman Allison Mills replied by email, “We believe that the questions the Congressman has will be addressed in a way that protects the neighborhood.”

“We continue to work with the mayor’s office and all concerned parties to ensure that Charlestown’s long term interests are fairly and fully met. We are at the beginning of discussions with the city about this project and we anticipate an ongoing dialogue,” she wrote.

Goals of the redesign

The city's preliminary design for Sullivan Square would eliminate the rotary and underpass and replace them with a surface street grid. Officials say it would effectively reduce car traffic by improving the intersection of Cambridge and Alford streets with Maffa Way. But this is precisely what Capuano is worried about.

In an earlier story on this issue, a Capuano staffer told Patch the congressman is “specifically concerned about the removal of underpasses and the inevitable diversion of traffic into Charlestown neighborhoods it will cause. Such removal would also lead to even longer backups into and out of Charlestown."

But a surface street grid is key to the square’s makeover, according to Cunha.

“Our concern is that we’re trying to make [Sullivan Square] as user-friendly as possible, and if we can get it down to three lanes with a nice bike path, we think it will bring in more development and businesses,” Cunha said.

“The unusual thing was we were able to draw a consensus. Trying to explain that to our congressman is our next task.”

Cunha said Capuano has plans to meet with the Neighborhood Council to discuss the project. His office has been trying to organize something with the council around his schedule in Washington.

“I think he just needs to listen and when he listens he’ll understand what are concerns are.” Cunha added.

Reportedly, Capuano had a recent meeting with the Boston Transportation Department. But until they meet with Capuano, it’s unclear to members of the Neighborhood Council what will come of that discussion.