Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on July 31, 2026
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of August 3 - August 7, 2026
Sidewalk Updates
As sidewalks and roadway work continues, the City has been receiving more specific questions about what they are seeing as the design slowly comes to life. So, keep an eye out for short blurbs about the design in coming weeks’ updates.
The Rehabilitation of Mt Auburn Street Concept Plan, which was endorsed by the Watertown City Council on July 10, 2018, established guidelines for rebalancing the roadway to better accommodate pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists, and adjacent businesses. One key component of the project is providing sidewalks that meet or exceed current accessibility standards, including maintaining a minimum clear pedestrian path of travel, accommodating individuals using mobility devices, and improving the overall pedestrian network along the corridor. So you may be seeing wider sidewalks or updated grading in some areas, and those are to be more accessible to all residents and visitors.
Full Depth Road Reconstruction
Full Depth Road Reconstruction will take place on Mount Auburn Street between Amherst Rd and School Street. This work takes the existing asphalt and mixes it with the base layers. This work will require a detour. Please see more info below.
Detour
The following detour will be put in place Wednesday, August 5 through Friday, August 7, 2026
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.
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.
Sidewalk Grading & Forming
Sidewalk fine grading will take place on Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street to School Street and Hillside Avenue to Upland Road.
Concrete Placement
Concrete placement will take place on the westbound sidewalk along Mount Auburn Street between Boylston Street to School Street.
Curbing Removal & Reset
Crews will be removing curbs and resetting them on Mount Auburn Street from Hillside Road to Upland Road.
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 at the intersection of Walnut 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.
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.