Mount Auburn Street Project Update Week of April 28, 2025 through May 3, 2025

Conduit Installation Continues Down Mount Auburn
Next at School St. and Boylston St. 

Starting Monday, April 28, 2025 Newport Construction will continue installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and School Street beginning at 7am.

During this time Newport Construction will also continue down Mount Auburn Street to install electrical conduits at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Boylston 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 remain 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 7am.

Parking Impacts

Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.

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Once the conduit work above has been completed, conduit installation will continue along Mount Auburn Street in the following areas:

• Mount Auburn Street Between Bates Road and Garfield Street

• Mount Auburn Street Between Chester Street and Marshall Street

• Mount Auburn Street Between Marshall Street and Auburn Court

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 remain 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 7am.

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.

(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn Street Project Update Week of April 28, 2025 through May 3, 2025

Conduit Installation Continues Down Mount Auburn
Next at School St. and Boylston St. 

Starting Monday, April 28, 2025 Newport Construction will continue installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and School Street beginning at 7am.

During this time Newport Construction will also continue down Mount Auburn Street to install electrical conduits at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Boylston 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 remain 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 7am.

Parking Impacts

Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.

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Once the conduit work above has been completed, conduit installation will continue along Mount Auburn Street in the following areas:

• Mount Auburn Street Between Bates Road and Garfield Street

• Mount Auburn Street Between Chester Street and Marshall Street

• Mount Auburn Street Between Marshall Street and Auburn Court

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 remain 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 7am.

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.

(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn Street Project Update Week of April 21, 2025 through April 25, 2025

No Work on Patriots’ Day (4/21/2025); Conduit Installation Continues; Utility Pole Installation

Conduit Installation Continues Down Mount Auburn
Next at School St. and Boylston St. 

Starting Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Newport Construction will be installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and School Street beginning at 7am.

Once the above is completed, Newport Construction will continue down Mount Auburn Street to install electrical conduits at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Boylston 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 remain 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 7am.

Parking Impacts

Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.

School Lane is Closed on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 for the Installation of a Utility Pole

Traffic Impacts

School Lane will be closed on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, while the installation of a utility pole is being completed. Installation work is not anticipated to last all day, with work beginning in the morning between 7-8am, and expected to continue into the early-to-mid afternoon. Due to the narrowness of School Ln, there will be no access on the roadway while work is ongoing. 

Parking Impacts

Street parking in the direct construction area will be restricted. Please keep an eye out for parking closure signs. 

(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn Street Project Update - Week of April 14, 2025 through April 19, 2025

Traffic & Pedestrian Signal Electrical Work

Last Updated April 11, 2025

Intersection of Mount Auburn Street & Arlington Street 
Electrical Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Work

Starting Monday April 14, 2025 Newport Construction will continue be installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street.

Traffic Impacts

Temporary lane shifts may occur but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, which remain open and accessible. 

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking in the municipal parking lot on Wells Avenue.

Intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Bigelow Avenue
Electrical Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Work

After the scheduled conduit work is completed at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street, Newport Construction will be installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Bigelow Avenue.

Traffic Impacts

Temporary lane shifts may occur but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, which remain open and accessible. 

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking in the municipal parking lot on Wells Avenue

Mount Auburn Street - Between Melendy Ave and Dexter Ave
Electrical Traffic and Pedestrian Signal Work

After the scheduled conduit work is completed at the intersection of Mount Auburn Street and Bigelow Ave, Newport Construction will be installing traffic electrical conduit (underground electrical pipes) on Mount Auburn Street, between Melendy Ave and Dexter Ave

Traffic Impacts

Temporary lane shifts may occur but one travel lane in each direction will remain on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, which remain open and accessible. 

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking in the municipal parking lot on Wells Avenue

(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn St. Construction Update for Week of March 31-April 4

Drainage Installation Continues onto Bigelow Ave. | Expect Detours 

The map above shows the area on Bigelow Ave. that will be impacted due to construction work, and the resulting detours for those traveling on Mount Auburn Street trying to access Bigelow Ave. (yellow) and those traveling on Bigelow Ave. trying to access Mount Auburn Street (red).

Newport Construction will continue installing drainage on Bigelow Ave. between Mount Auburn Street and Wells Ave, closing this section to traffic. Construction crews will be working in this area from 7 AM to 5 PM. This work will begin when the above drainage work on the westbound side of Mount Auburn St. is completed.

Traffic Impacts
The construction area on Bigelow Avenue, between Wells Avenue and Mount Auburn Street will be closed to traffic. Vehicles traveling eastbound on Mount Auburn Street and turning onto Bigelow Ave will be redirected via Arlington Street, then Wells Ave. Vehicles on Bigelow Ave heading toward Mount Auburn Street will be redirected to Merrifield Ave. and Arlington St. to reach Mount Auburn Street. Detour signs will be present in the area to help navigate (see map below for detour details). Sidewalks will be narrowed but remain accessible, and business entrances will be maintained.

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.   

Bus Stop Relocation
The bus stop will remain relocated during this time. Please see above for the relocation information

Westbound Drainage Installation on Mount Auburn | Bus Stop Relocation Planned

Due to construction, the bus stop at Mount Auburn Street and Bigelow Ave will be temporarily relocated on Monday, March 24, 2025, to the southeast corner of Arlington Street and Mount Auburn Street.

This work will begin when the above drainage work on Mount Auburn St. and Bigelow Ave is completed. Newport Construction will be continuing drainage on the westbound side of the Mount Auburn St intersection between Kimball Rd. and Irma Ave. Construction crews will be operating in this area from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Traffic Impacts
Expect lane shifts in this area. Traffic will continue to flow in each direction, though narrowed to one lane in each direction.  Police details will assist to maintain the traffic flow in both directions. Sidewalks in the construction area will be narrowed, but remain accessible. 

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas prior to beginning work in the morning and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking outside the immediate construction zone on Mount Auburn Street, as well as on Wells Avenue and in the Wells Avenue municipal parking lot. 
 

Bus Stop Impacts (Map below)
The bus stop for Route 71 at Mount Auburn St and Bigelow Ave will continue to be temporarily relocated during the construction period. We ask that you board on the southeast corner on Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street (as depicted above). This bus stop is anticipated to be relocated through April 4. 2025. We will share an update about this bus stop relocation on Friday, April 4. For more details on Route 71, visit the MBTA's schedules and maps.

(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!

Mount Auburn St. Construction Update for Week of March 24-28

*No work is scheduled to take place on Monday, March 24, 2025 due to weather*

Westbound Drainage Installation on Mount Auburn | Bus Stop Relocation Planned

Newport Construction will be continuing drainage on the westbound side of the Mount Auburn St intersection between Kimball Rd. and Bigelow Ave. Construction crews will be working in this area from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Traffic Impacts
Expect lane shifts in this area. Traffic will continue to flow in each direction, though narrowed to one lane in each direction.  Police details will assist to maintain the traffic flow in both directions. Sidewalks in the construction area will be narrowed, but remain accessible. 

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas prior to beginning work in the morning and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking outside the immediate construction zone on Mount Auburn Street, as well as on Wells Avenue and in the Wells Avenue municipal parking lot. 

Bus Stop Impacts (Map above)
The bus stop for Route 71 at Mount Auburn St and Bigelow Ave will be temporarily relocated starting on March 24, 2025, during the construction period. We ask that you board on the southeast corner on Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street (as depicted above). Please anticipate for the MBTA to post the appropriate bus stop closure and relocation signs on site. This relocation is anticipated for the next two weeks, and we will provide a scheduling update for this bus stop relocation on Friday, March 28, 2025 for the following week. For more details on Route 71, visit the MBTA's schedules and maps.

Drainage Installation Continues onto Bigelow Ave. | Expect Detours 

Newport Construction will continue installing drainage on Bigelow Ave. between Mount Auburn Street and Wells Ave, closing this section to traffic. Construction crews will be working in this area from 7 AM to 5 PM. This work will begin when the above drainage work on the westbound side of Mount Auburn St. is completed.

Traffic Impacts
The construction area on Bigelow Avenue, between Wells Avenue and Mount Auburn Street will be closed to traffic. Vehicles traveling eastbound on Mount Auburn Street and turning onto Bigelow Ave will be redirected via Arlington Street, then Wells Ave. Vehicles on Bigelow Ave heading toward Mount Auburn Street will be redirected to Merrifield Ave. and Arlington St. to reach Mount Auburn Street. Detour signs will be present in the area to help navigate (see map below for detour details). Sidewalks will be narrowed but remain accessible, and business entrances will be maintained.

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day.   

Bus Stop Relocation
The bus stop will remain relocated during this time. Please see above for the relocation information

(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn St. Construction Update for Week of March 18-21

No Work on Monday, March 17, 2025

Drainage Work Westbound on Mount Auburn Street Between Arlington Street and Kimball Road

Tuesday, March 18th to Friday, March 21st, 2025 Newport Construction will continue drainage work in the westbound lane of Mount Auburn Street between Arlington Street and Kimball Road. This work will take place from 7 AM - 5 PM. 

Traffic Impacts
There will be lane shifts and a potential lane closure during this work, which may also impact street parking in the immediate work area. Currently we do not anticipate any detours. Police detail and crew members will be on-site to help with traffic flow in both directions. Sidewalks will be narrowed, but not closed. 

Business Entrances
Access to business entrances will be maintained.

Parking Impacts
”No Parking” signs will be placed on the meters within the work zone to indicate parking restriction during the construction hours.

Future Bus Stop Update

Please prepare for the MBTA bus stop located at Mount Auburn Street and Bigelow Ave to move to the corner of Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street soon. Preparations are being made for drainage work to begin near the existing bus stop, which will require a temporary bus stop relocation (depicted below). As soon as the scheduling is finalized, the City of Watertown will be announcing this relocation through these emails and the City's social media channels. 

(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn St. Construction for Week of March 8 - March 14, 2025

Weekend Work - March 8, 2025 - Pedestrian Signal Electrical Work

Saturday, March 8, 2025 Newport Construction and the City of Watertown will be performing electrical work to relocate pedestrian walking signals to prepare for signal preparation work at the Mount Auburn Street and Arlington Street intersection (see map below)

Traffic Impacts
Temporary lane shifts may occur and work will take place on the sidewalks, but will remain open and accessible.

Parking Impacts
No parking impacts

Drainage Installation Work Continues between Arlington St. and Bigelow Ave.

Newport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work eastbound between Arlington Street and Bigelow Avenue on Monday, March 10, 2025. You can expect to see construction crews in this area from 7am to 5pm.

Traffic Impacts
There will be lane shifts and a potential lane closure during this work, which may also impact street parking in the immediate work area. Currently we do not anticipate any detours. Police detail and crew members will be on-site to help with traffic flow in both directions. Sidewalks will be narrowed, but not closed. 

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking in the municipal parking lot on Wells Avenue.

Traffic Signal Electrical Installations 

Newport Construction will continue installing electrical conduits (a tube for protecting electric wiring)  and pull boxes (utility boxes that provide easy access to underground electrical systems) at traffic signal locations. Work will occur along Arlington Street between Mount Auburn Street and Grove Street. Construction crews will be present in the area from 7 AM to 5 PM.

Traffic Impacts
Temporary lane shifts will occur in the area during conduit installation. Electrical pull box installation will take place on the sidewalks, which will remain open and accessible.

Parking Impacts
No parking impacts

Tree Protection Installation 

MON Construction will continue installing tree protection along Mount Auburn Street between School Street and Summer Street. Work will take place from 7 AM to 5 PM and will be confined to the sidewalks. The sidewalks will remain open and accessible. This work will not affect traffic or parking.
 
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)

Mount Auburn Street Construction Work for Week of March 3 - March 7, 2025

Drainage Installation Work Continues between Arlington St. and Bigelow Ave. on Eastbound side

Newport Construction will continue their drainage installation work on Mount Auburn Street between Arlington Street and Bigelow Avenue on the eastbound side of the roadway. You can expect to see construction crews in this area from 7am to 5pm.

Traffic Impacts
Expect lane closures and lane shifts in this area, but no detours. Traffic will continue to flow in each direction, though narrowed to one lane in each direction.  Police details will assist to maintain the traffic flow in both directions. Sidewalks in the construction area will be narrowed, but not closed.

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking outside the immediate construction zone on Mount Auburn Street, as well as on Wells Avenue and in the Wells Avenue municipal parking lot.

Tree Protection Installation 

Newport will continue installing tree protection along Mount Auburn Street between School Street and Summer Street. Work will take place from 7 AM to 5 PM and will be confined to the sidewalks. A police detail will be on-site to assist pedestrians around the work areas. This work will not affect traffic or parking.

Mount Auburn Street Project Update - Week Ending on February 7, 2025

Drainage Installation Work Continues between Arlington St. and Bigelow Ave.

Newport Construction is continuing to complete the drainage installation work between Arlington Street and Bigelow Avenue on the eastbound side. You can expect to see construction crews in this area from 7am to 5pm.

Traffic Impacts
There will be lane shifts and a potential lane closure during this work, which may also impact street parking in the immediate work area. Currently we do not anticipate any detours. Police detail and crew members will be on-site to help with traffic flow in both directions.

Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street during this phase may be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7am and will be removing them from the area by 5pm each day. You can still find metered parking in the municipal parking lot on Wells Avenue.

Saw Cutting for Drainage and Conduit Installation Occurring Westbound From Kimball Road to School Street and  Eastbound from School Street to Bigelow Avenue.

Newport Construction will start cutting into the road to prepare for drainage and conduit installation work. This work will begin westbound from Kimball Road to School Street, as well as working eastbound from School Street to Bigelow Avenue. Work will be completed in this area from 7am – 5pm.

Traffic Impacts
We anticipate low traffic impacts. Police details will be on-site to direct traffic around the active saw operation. There will be no lane closures, shifts, or detours.

Parking Impacts
No parking impacts

Tree Protection Installation Occurring Westbound from Arlington Street to Summer Street and Eastbound from Summer Street to Arlington Street.

Newport Construction will be adding tree protection westbound from Arlington Street to Summer Street and eastbound from Summer Street to Arlington Street. Work will be completed in this area from 7am – 5pm.There will be no traffic or parking impacts from this work.
 
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)