Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project

Most Recent Updates

Last updated on June 5, 2026

Mount Auburn Street Project Update

Week of June 7 - June 12, 2026

Concrete Removal

Concrete sidewalk panels will be removed along the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Bigelow Ave and Elton Ave.

Curb Removal & Reset

Crews will be removing and resetting the curbing near Grove St., Arlington St., and Bigelow Ave along the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street.

Sidewalk Grading & Forming

Sidewalk forming will occur along Mt. Auburn St. in the area near Arlington St. and Grove St. towards Bigelow Ave. on the eastbound side.

Elsewhere on Mount Auburn Street on the westbound side, fine grading and sidewalk forming will take place near School St, Winsor Ave, and Hillside Rd.

Concrete Placement

Concrete sidewalk panels will be placed on the eastbound sidewalk at School Ln. and Norseman Ave. Sidewalk panels will also be placed on Arlington St. from Mount Auburn St. to Grove St.

Elsewhere on Mount Auburn St., sidewalk panels will be placed between Winsor Ave. and Hillside Rd..

Sidewalk, Business access and traffic Impacts

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 with in the active construction process 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 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

Two crews will perform drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Stearns Rd. and Garfield Rd.

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.

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.