Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on July 11, 2025
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of July 14 through July 18, 2025
Sidewalk Excavation Begins At Cambridge Line
Excavation of the westbound sidewalk on Mount Auburn Street between Belmont Street and St. Mary Street will begin on Monday, July 14, 2025 from 7:00am to 3:30pm. Learn about travel and parking impacts below.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
The westbound sidewalk will be closed for excavation starting on Monday, July 14, 2025 at 7:00am. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound 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. Entrances to driveways and parking lots will be maintained.
Parking Impacts
Parking on the westbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Belmont Street and St. Mary Street will be prohibited while work is active between 7:00am and 3:30pm. "No parking" signs will be posted in the area and removed at the end of the work each day.
Above map depicts the westbound sidewalk between Belmont Street and St. Mary Street (highlighted in red) that will be excavated starting on July 14, 2025.
Drainage Installation Continues
Crews will continue drainage installation between Dexter Avenue and Adams Street 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.
Above map depicts the area that drainage installation will happen (in yellow), between Dexter Avenue and Adams Street.
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
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.