Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on April 3,2026
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of April 6 - April 10, 2026
Drainage Installation & Test Pits
Crews will continue drainage installation and excavate test pits on School Street between Mount Auburn Street and Adams Avenue. This work will be performed between 9:15 AM and 2:00 PM.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
Beginning April 6 through April 10, 2026, a detour will be in place on School Street.
School Street will be closed between Mount Auburn Street and Adams Avenue.
Travelers heading toward the Cambridge line on Mount Auburn Street will be detoured via Adams Avenue to access School Street.
Travelers heading toward Watertown Square on Mount Auburn Street will be detoured via Winsor Avenue instead of utilizing School Street. Access to the latter portion of School Street will still be available via Adams Avenue if needed.
Traffic traveling on School Street toward Mount Auburn Street will be redirected to Adams Avenue and then back to Mount Auburn Street.
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.
Tree Trench Installation & Saw Cutting
Tree trench installation and saw cutting (root pruning) will occur between Richards Rd and School Street next week on Mount Auburn 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.
Mast Arm Foundation Installation
Electrical contractors will be installing mast arm foundations at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street. Mast arm foundations are the base of traffic signals.
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.