Projects & Planning

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is responsible for managing the City’s infrastructure assets, including its roads, intersections, water and sewer utilities, and drainage systems. Capital planning activities include programming and implementation of the City’s Pavement Management Plan, Water System Study, and various sewer studies. The DPW also manages the City’s annual road reconstruction program and is responsible for long term planning on corridors such as Common Street and Mount Auburn Street. Please monitor this section for project-specific updates.

Capital Projects

Annual Road Program

DPW presents a list of roads to the City Council for reconstruction each fall. Roadway reconstruction includes not just the roadway surface, but also new granite curbing, concrete sidewalks, and accessible ramps. This page includes presentations, concept plans, and construction information.

Belmont Street Reconstruction Project (Mt Auburn Street to #88 Belmont Street)

This is a joint project with the City of Cambridge, which has care and control of the roadway.  The City will be contributing to the project by reconstructing sidewalks on the Watertown side of the street. The work is part of the City of Cambridge Complete Streets initiative to design and operate streets that are safe for all users including pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and public transit users.

Highland Avenue Reconstruction

Highland Avenue is scheduled for reconstruction in 2023.  Included in the project are new curbing, new sidewalks, roadway resurfacing and installation of traffic calming features, such as raised intersections.

Morse Street Reconstruction

The City is reconstructing Morse Street in 2023.Included in the project are new curbing, new sidewalks, roadway resurfacing and installation of traffic calming features, such as raised intersections.

Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets Project

The City of Watertown is redesigning Mount Auburn Street to improve safety and better accommodate vehicles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians.  The project will be funded by the State and is expected to begin construction in 2024.

Massachusetts Water Resouces Authority (MWRA) Pipeline Improvements

Information about the Intermediate Pipeline Improvements CP2 Rehabilitation of Sections 24 and 25 MWRA Contract No. 6956.

Watertown Community Path

The Watertown Community Path is a proposed multi-use path that will provide pedestrians and bicyclists with a safe and easily accessible route through much of Watertown.

Watertown Complete Streets Program

A Complete Street is one that provides safe and accessible options for all travel modes – walking, biking, transit, and motorized vehicles – for people of all ages and abilities. Designing streets with these principles contributes toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments and providing safer, more accessible and comfortable means of travel between home, school, work, recreation and retail destinations.

2021 Sewer System Improvement Program

The City of Watertown is undertaking a sanitary sewer improvement project including the installation of approximately 32,000 feet of cured-in-place (CIP) sewer pipe. This is commonly known as sewer lining. This process allows the contractor to reconstruct certain sections of badly deteriorated sewer “in place” rather than the traditional disruptive method of excavating and replacing the existing pipes.

Other Projects

Arsenal Street Reconstruction, School Street to Arsenal Way

The Planning Board reviewed and approved the redevelopment of the Arsenal on the Charles Campus.  A condition of approval was to implement a series of traffic improvements on Arsenal Street, between School Street and Arsenal Way.  This project involves reconstruction, milling, and repaving of Arsenal Street, the addition of bike lanes, improved drainage, ADA-compliant sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, MBTA bus stops and shelters at high use bus stops, new traffic control signals, new lighting, new landscape, and new pavement markings.

Work is expected to begin in Spring, 2023.

Arsenal Street Reconstruction, Arsenal Way to Greenough Boulevard

The Planning Board reviewed and approved the redevelopment of the Arsenal on the Charles Campus.  A condition of approval was to implement a series of traffic improvements on Arsenal Street, between Arsenal Way and Greenough Boulevard.  This project, which spans about a half mile, involves reconstruction, milling, and repaving of Arsenal Street, the addition of bike lanes, improved drainage, ADA-compliant sidewalks and wheelchair ramps, MBTA bus stops and shelters at high use bus stops, new traffic control signals, new lighting, new landscape, and new pavement markings.

The project is a public-private partnership with MassWorks grant and City funding supplementing the developer's funds.

Work is expected to begin in Spring, 2023.

Arsenal Street at Elm Street Signalization

As part of the Planning and Zoning Board review and approval of the 23 Elm Street redevelopment, the project will be required to install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Arsenal Street and Elm Street.

Work is expected to begin in Spring, 2023.

Arsenal Street at Louise Street Signalization

The Zoning Board approved the redevelopment of the 85 Walnut Street site with the condition that they install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Arsenal Street and Louise Street.  The intersection will include a relocated entrance for both the 85 and 101 Arsenal Street properties.  Included in the work is relocation of the Community Path and sidewalk to accommodate turning lanes on Arsenal Street at Louis Street.

Work began in the summer of 2022 and the signal is now operational.  The developer's contractor will complete the work, including final paving of the Community Path and sidewalk this spring.

Arlington Street at Elm Street Pedestrian Safety Improvements

As part of the Planning and Zoning Board review and approval of the 23 Elm Street redevelopment, the project will be required to install curb extensions ("bump outs") and a rectangular rapid flashing beacon across Arlington Street at Filippello Park.

Work is expected to begin in Spring, 2023.

Coolidge Avenue Improvements

As part of the Planning Board review and approval of the redevelopment at the former Mt. Auburn Club on Coolidge Avenue, the developer will be installing a widened sidewalk on Coolidge Avenue, between Arsenal Street and Grove Street.  The asphalt sidewalk will be wide enough to allow for bicycle usage.

Also included in the work is signalization of the intersection of Coolidge Avenue and Grove Street.  The new signal is expected to reduce vehicular delays at the intersection and improve pedestrian safety and connectivity.

Work is expected to begin in Spring, 2023.

School Street at Walnut Street and Dexter Avenue Improvements

The Planning Board reviewed and approved the redevelopment of the Arsenal on the Charles Campus.  A condition of approval was to implement a Complete Streets redesign of the intersection of School Street at Walnut Street and Dexter Ave.  This project will include the installation of curb extensions ("bump outs") and additional pavement markings at the intersection to improve safety and pedestrian visibility.

Work is expected to begin in Spring, 2023.

Walnut Street Traffic Calming

As a condition of approval of the redevelopment of 85 Walnut Street by the Zoning Board, the developer will be required to install traffic calming at various locations on Walnut Street. 

Work is expected to begin later in 2023.

Completed Projects