Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on May 1, 2026
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of May 4 - May 8, 2026
Traffic Line Striping - Overnight Work
Traffic line striping is scheduled for Wednesday, May 6, 2026, beginning at 8:00 p.m. and lasting approximately four hours. The work will take place in the recently paved area of Mount Auburn Street between School Street and Langdon Avenue.
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 School Street and Langdon Avenue on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
For striping: A paint truck will lead the operation, followed by a vehicle equipped with an arrow board to direct traffic and signal drivers to change lanes as needed. A police detail will be on site to escort and assist crews throughout the work. No lane closures are anticipated during this operation.
For raising buried structures: 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
For striping: No impacts.
For raising buried structures: 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.
Sidewalk Excavation
Excavation of the eastbound sidewalk and curbing on Mount Auburn Street between Norseman Avenue and Belmont Street will begin on Monday, May 4, 2026 from 7:00am to 3:30pm.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
The sidewalk will be closed for excavation . A bypass sidewalk on the eastbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.
Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions.
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 between Chauncy Street and Adams Avenue 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 drainage installation 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.
Conduit & Pedestrian Signal Installation
Crews will be installing conduits (underground electrical) and Pedestrian Signals at two locations on Mount Auburn Street.
Mount Auburn Street at Lloyd Road.
Mount Auburn Street at Kimball Road.
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.