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Mount Auburn Street Project
Information and updates about the Mount Auburn Street Project.
Visit the Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project website for more details and to sign up for public announcements.
December 2, 2024
Watertown to Fund Temporary Paving of Mount Auburn Street
The City of Watertown has initiated work to temporarily level and pave the remainder of Mount Auburn Street today, Monday December 2, 2024 while we await the completion of the Mount Auburn Street Project. Originally not anticipated to receive any temporary paving as part of the project, the City has stepped in to fund this work to ensure one of Watertown’s busiest roads is paved for safer, smoother travel in 2024 ahead of the winter season.
This work is being accelerated beyond the scope of the ongoing Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets Project, which remains active, and work will continue as scheduled. The existing project timeline slated the Mount Auburn Street roadway between School Street and Arlington Street to begin with its permanent construction work next year. However, the City Administration and the Department of Public Works felt it critical to initiate and fund the temporary paving of the remaining sections to improve road conditions before entering the winter season. Once completed, all of Mount Auburn Street between Summer Street and the Cambridge Line will have been paved over the last several weeks.
Drainage Installation and Catenary Work Continues
Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St. The catenary pole removal is continuing and will take place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
Are there any traffic impacts?
This work is anticipated to begin on Monday, December 2 and will take place between 7 AM and 5 PM. Please note, all dates are approximate and dependent on weather conditions. In the construction areas, you can anticipate lane closures and lane shifts. Access to side streets and driveways may be limited during this time to allow asphalt to cool. Police detail and on-site crew members will be available to help with access when necessary. Please consider alternate routes when possible.
In the area of the catenary pole removal, we anticipate only lane closures and lane shifts but no significant traffic impacts.
Are there any parking impacts?
Any street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas.
November 21, 2024
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Temporary Paving Expected to be Completed Next Week
Newport Construction will be leveling and laying temporary pavement moving east on Mount Auburn Street, starting at Summer Street and ending just prior to School Street. Both eastbound and westbound lanes will be completed, starting on the eastbound side of the street. The road lines will be restriped once the paving is completed to look the same as it was previously.
The work originally scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM has been rescheduled due to anticipated rain. It is now expected to take place on Monday, November 25, and Tuesday, November 26, 2024 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Drainage Installation Work Continues
Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St.
Catenary Pole Removal to Restart
The catenary pole removal is continuing and will take place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
Are there any traffic impacts?
There will be lane shifts during this time. The street parking lane will be used for thru traffic near the paving work being done. There will not be any road closures or detours at this time. We do not expect any sidewalk closures while this work is being completed. Access between some driveways and the road being worked on will be limited to allow time for the asphalt to cool. Police detail and on-site crew members will be available to help with access when necessary. Consider using alternate routes when possible.
In the area of the catenary pole removal, we anticipate only lane closures and lane shifts but no significant traffic impacts.
Are there any parking impacts?
Any street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas.
November 20, 2024
Temporary Paving Expected This Weekend; Drainage Installation, Catenary Pole Removal, and Temporary Striping Continues
Temporary Paving Expected to be Done This Weekend
Newport Construction will be leveling and laying temporary pavement moving east on Mount Auburn Street, starting at Summer Street and ending just prior to School Street. Both eastbound and westbound lanes will be completed, starting on the eastbound side of the street. The road lines will be restriped once the paving is completed to look the same as it was previously.
Work is expected to be completed on Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 8am to 5pm, pending weather conditions. If the existing pavement is too wet from the expected rain, this work will be pushed into next week.
Drainage Installation Work Continues
Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St.
Catenary Pole Removal to Restart
The catenary pole removal is continuing and will take place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
Are there any traffic impacts?
There will be lane shifts during this time. The street parking lane will be used for thru traffic near the paving work being done. There will not be any road closures or detours at this time. We do not expect any sidewalk closures while this work is being completed. Access between some driveways and the road being worked on will be limited to allow time for the asphalt to cool. Police detail and on-site crew members will be available to help with access when necessary. Consider using alternate routes when possible.
In the area of the catenary pole removal, we anticipate only lane closures and lane shifts but no significant traffic impacts.
Are there any parking impacts?
Any street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas.
November 5, 2024
Drainage Installation Work Continuing; Paving Work to Begin; Catenary Pole Removal Resumes
Paving to Start Soon! Weekend Work Included!
Paving started last week on the first 500 feet from the Cambridge line.
Paving work is scheduled to continue from Wednesday, November 6, 2024, through Friday, November 8, 2024, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, paving will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as the construction schedule was adjusted to pause work on Election Day.
The paving work will include the side street entrances for several streets off of Mount Auburn Street in the work area. An example of the amount of area that will be included in this work onto the side streets is depicted in the image of School Lane. The side street entrances included in this phase of the project are:
Example of area to be milled and paved off on side street off of Mount Auburn Street.
- Cottage St.
- Ralph A. Piteri Tr
- St Mary St.
- Norseman Ave
- Francis St
- School Ln
- Brimmer St.
- Keenan St.
- Prentiss St.
Drainage Installation Work Continues
Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St.
Catenary Pole Removal to Restart
The catenary pole removal will resume on the evening of November 6, 2024. This work will take place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
Are there any traffic impacts?
For those residing on the side streets between the Cambridge Line and Arlington Street that might be affected by the milling and paving during this time, you will be detoured toward Belmont Street. For the side streets on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street (e.g. Norseman Ave., School Ln) access to driveways and the road being worked on will be limited during paving to allow for time for asphalt to cool. Whenever possible, consider using alternate routes.
In the area of the catenary pole removal, we anticipate only lane closures and lane shifts but no significant traffic impacts.
Are there any parking impacts?
Any street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas.
October 25, 2024
Drainage Installation Work Continuing; Milling and Paving Work to Begin
Drainage Installation Work Continues
Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St.
Milling and Paving to Begin Soon!
Pavement milling is expected to start on October 23, 2024 at the Cambridge line and will continue to Arlington Street. This is anticipated to be completed by November 1, 2024.
Paving for this portion of the road is expected to start on 11/1/2024, with an estimated completion of 4-5 days.
With all of the above work, you can expect to see:
- Removing and lowering of cast iron structures (manholes, catch basins, etc.)
- Cast iron structures may be placed on the sidewalks during this period. They will be marked with cones.
- Pavement milling and grading
- Paving
- Reinstallation of castings
Catenary Pole Removal Remains Paused
The catenary pole removal will continue to be paused while the contractor is assisting with Hurricane relief. We will notify you when this work resumes.
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
Are there any traffic impacts?
Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 5 PM. Work will also continue from 8 AM to 5 PM on Saturday October 26. This is the only Saturday that has scheduled work at this time. We expect only lane closures and lane shifts for the work on Mount Auburn Street.
For those residing on the side streets between the Cambridge Line and Arlington Street that might be effected by the construction during this time, you will be detoured toward Belmont Street. For the side streets on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street (e.g. Norseman Ave., School Ln), you will still be able to access Mount Auburn Street with the assistance of a crewmember on site.
You can also expect potential temporary sidewalk closures while this work is on-going.
Are there any parking impacts?
Any street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas.
October 1, 2024
Drainage Installation Work Beginning; Pole Removal Paused Temporarily
Newport Construction has begun preparing for drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street, with work set to begin on October 2, 2024. The project will start at the Cambridge line near 805 and 821 Mount Auburn St. and progress towards the intersection of Mount Auburn St. and Arlington St.
During this phase, you can expect:
- preparation work on manholes and catch basins
- excavation
- pipe installation
- back filling the holes
Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 5 PM. We expect only lane closures during this time.
Catenary pole removal has been paused at this time. We will notify you when this work resumes.
Are there any traffic impacts?
The drainage work at this time will cause lane closures on Mount Auburn Street between the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM.
There will be no nighttime lane closures in the time that the catenary pole removal is paused.
September 5, 2024
Catenary Line Demolition Completed; Pole Removal Started
Dagle Electric have begun the removal of the poles that once held up the catenary electric system. The catenary system in Watertown was previously used to power the MBTA 71 and 73 bus lines.
This work is scheduled to take place during evening hours from 8:00 PM each night to 4:00 AM the following morning for approximately six weeks. The work is scheduled to occur on the following dates:
- Wednesday, September 4, through Thursday, September 5, 2024
- Tuesday, September 9, through Thursday, September 12, 2024
- Tuesday, September 17, through Thursday, September 19, 2024
- Tuesday, September 24, through Thursday, September 26, 2024
- Tuesday, October 1, through Thursday, October 3, 2024
- Tuesday, October 8, through Thursday, October 10, 2024
Early Construction Activities
Early action work for the Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets Project has begun. Over the coming weeks, you may continue to see the following activities along the corridor:
- Tree wrapping for protection during construction
- Drainage installation
- Rodent control measures
We will post construction schedules and other work notifications consistently on the project website, and via the City’s social media accounts. You can sign up to receive project email updates here.
August 2024
The Catenary Wire Removal on Mount Auburn St. has been completed. There is a temporary pause on the pole removal, as the contractor arranges for a night crew. In the meantime, we want to provide you with an update on the progress made so far:
Weeks 1 and 2: The Contractor successfully removed the wires and cables along Mount Auburn St. from Arlington St. to Chauncey St.
Weeks 3 and 4: Work continued down Mount Auburn St., reaching East Bates Road. This phase also included the removal of feeder cables from Langdon Ave to Bailey Rd.
Weeks 5 and 6: Remaining wire removal was completed on Mount Auburn St.
Once work resumes in the coming weeks, night crews will remove the remaining poles from the catenary wires. No significant traffic impacts are expected during that time.
July 2024
Overhead Catenary Removal Work Begins Tuesday, July 9, 2024
In preparation for the beginning of roadway work on Mount Auburn Street, and after a delay from our last update, Dagle Electric is confirmed to start removing the Overhead Catenary System. The Overhead Catenary System includes the electrical lines previously being used to power MBTA route 71 and 73 buses.
This work is scheduled to take place during evening hours from 8:00 PM each night to 4:00 AM the following morning for approximately six weeks. The work is scheduled to occur on the following dates:
- Tuesday, July 9 through Thursday, July 11
- Tuesday, July 16 through Thursday, July 18
- Sunday, July 21 through Thursday, July 25
- Sunday, July 28 through Thursday, August 1
- Sunday, August 4 through Thursday, August 8
- Sunday, August 11 through Thursday, August 15
Work will start on Mount Auburn Street at Arlington Street and continue west toward Watertown Square. Lane closures will be required for crews to complete the work, but no road closures or detours will be required.
June 2024
Early action work for the Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets Project has begun. Over the coming weeks, you may see the following activities along the corridor:
Tree wrapping for protection during construction
Drainage installation
Rodent control measures
We will post construction schedules and other work notifications consistently on the project website, and via the City’s social media accounts. Sign up to receive project email updates.
May 2024
In preparation for the Mount Auburn Street Project, starting in May 2024, Dagle Electric will start removing the Overhead Catenary System during nighttime hours, from 9pm - 5am. The Overhead Catenary System is the electrical lines that were previously being used to power the MBTA 71 and 73 buses along Mount Auburn St. Due to the nature of the work, the contractor feels it would be safer to perform the work at night. Dagle expects the nighttime schedule will be required for approximately 6 weeks.
Visit the project website
Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project