Mount Auburn Street Project

Information and updates about the Mount Auburn Street Project.

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.

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Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project