Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on August 14, 2026
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
August 15 - August 21, 2026
Saturday, August 15 Road Work
Full Depth Road Reconstruction
On Saturday, August 15, construction crews will be completing their full depth road reconstruction between Amherst Rd and School St. Work will begin at 8:00 AM and be completed by 5:00 PM.
This work takes the existing asphalt and mixes it with the base layers. While this work is on-going, a detour will be required. Please see more info below.
Detour
The following detour will be put in place during the construction next week:
Mount Auburn Street: One lane of traffic in each direction will remain open throughout construction. Traffic will be shifted to either the eastbound or westbound side of the roadway as needed, depending on the location of the active work zone.
Boylston Street: Access to Mount Auburn Street from Boylston Street will be closed beginning at the Concord Road intersection. Drivers should follow the posted detour via Chauncey Street to reach Mount Auburn Street.
Stearns Road: Access to Mount Auburn Street from Stearns Road will be closed beginning at the Amherst Road intersection. Drivers should follow the posted detour via Amherst Road to access Mount Auburn Street.
MBTA Bus Stop Relocation
Two MBTA bus stops along the 71 bus route will be impacted by the construction work in this area on Saturday, August 15. Riders should follow on-site signage to the new temporary locations:
Bus Stop ID 2040: Mt. Auburn St @ Amherst Rd will be relocated in front of 298 Mount Auburn Street.
Bus Stop ID 2054: Mt. Auburn St @ Boylston St will be relocated in front of 297 Mount Auburn Street.
Monday-Friday, August 17-21
Sidewalk Grading & Forming
Sidewalk fine grading will take place on Mount Auburn Street at School Street and on the westbound side at Arlington Street.
Sidewalk Pouring
Sidewalk pouring will take place on the westbound sidewalk along Mount Auburn Street between Upland Road and Hillside Road.
Sidewalk Removal
There will be no sidewalk removal this week.
Access & Travel Information
Sidewalks: During this work, pedestrians will be asked to use the sidewalks on the opposite side of the street. Once the work is completed, temporary walkways will be maintained to allow pedestrian access.
Business Access: Pedestrians needing access to businesses within the active construction area will be directed to use rear entrances when available, or they will be escorted safely through the work zone by police details. Construction activities will be temporarily paused until pedestrians have safely entered the designated safe zone.
Traffic: 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.
Parking: 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
Location of the sidewalk grading and forming.
Location of the concrete sidewalk pouring
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.