Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on June 12, 2026
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of June 15 - June 19, 2026
Sidewalk Grading & Forming
Sidewalk fine grading will take place at School Street and Hillside Road.
Sidewalk forming will take place between Winsor Ave. and Hillside Rd.
Sidewalk grading and forming area
Curb Removal & Reset
Crews will be removing and resetting the curbing near Bigelow Ave and along Arlington Street.
Concrete Placement
Concrete sidewalk panels will be poured on the sidewalk at School Ln. and Norseman Ave. Sidewalk panels will also be placed on Arlington St. near Grove St.
Elsewhere on Mount Auburn St., sidewalk panels will be placed between Winsor Ave. and Hillside Rd once necessary forming is completed.
Depending on progress, sidewalk panels would next be poured on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Elton Avenue and Bigelow Avenue.
Concrete sidewalk and curbing areas.
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 Walnut Street and Amherst 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 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.
Drainage work for the week on Mount Auburn street
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.