Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on November 26, 2025
Mount Auburn Street Project Progress Update
As the construction season winds down, we’d like to take a moment to highlight the work completed along Mount Auburn Street. While the more extensive road work is planned to come back in the spring, MassDOT and Newport Construction has made progress this season in working towards a safer, more accessible, and welcoming street.
This year’s efforts focused on two major segments: the Cambridge line to Arlington Street and Arlington Street to Boylston Street. Within these areas, crews completed essential infrastructure work, including:
Drainage installation
Electrical conduit wiring
Traffic signal foundations
Utility pole relocation
Removal of catenary pole bases along the entire corridor
Manhole relocations
Sidewalk excavation and concrete placement (Cambridge line to Arlington Street)
Granite curb installation (Cambridge line to Arlington Street)
Roadway milling
First and second layers of paving
Hydrant installation
Raising/resetting buried utility structures
Tree trench installation
Loaming of tree pits and grass strips
Much of this construction was concentrated in Coolidge Square. Below is a preview of what this vibrant district is expected to look like once the project reaches full completion.
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of December 1 - December 5, 2025
Raising Buried Structures
Crews will be raising buried utility structures, such as manholes and valve boxes, within the newly paved area along Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street.
Traffic Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street.
Business entrances will be maintained as well. Work in these areas will begin at 7:00 am each day and end before 5:00 pm.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7:00 am and will be removing them from the area by 5:00 pm each day.
Drainage Installation
Crews will perform drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street and School Street.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, but they will remain open and accessible. Business entrances will be maintained as well. Work in these areas will begin at 7:00 am each day and end before 5:00 pm.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7:00 am and will be removing them from the area by 5:00 pm each day.
Getting Around Coolidge Square
During construction in the Coolidge Square area, Watertown’s Economic Development team developed the below graphic to help residents get around Coolidge Square, whether by car, bike, bus, or walking. Keep up-to-date with any road closures, bus stop impacts, or parking limitations in the work detailed above!
About the Project
The Mount Auburn Street project was initiated after a conceptual design was endorsed by the Town Council in November 2018. The Project Team submitted the 25% Design to the MassDOT in January 2020, and MassDOT held a 25% Design Public Hearing on November 4, 2021. Since then, the project team has submitted 100% Design plans for the corridor.
The Mount Auburn Street Project will transform the corridor into a Complete Street, providing safe and accessible options for all modes. This project will also provide increased efficiency on the MBTA Bus Route 71, improve traffic operations and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and improved aesthetics.