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.)

Watertown to Fund Temporary Paving of Mount Auburn Street

Temporary Paving Expected to be Completed This week

The City of Watertown has initiated work to temporarily level and pave the remainder of Mount Auburn Street today, Monday December 2, 2024 while we await the completion of the Mount Auburn Street Project. Originally not anticipated to receive any temporary paving as part of the project, the City has stepped in to fund this work to ensure one of Watertown’s busiest roads is paved for safer, smoother travel in 2024 ahead of the winter season.

This work is being accelerated beyond the scope of the ongoing Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets Project, which remains active, and work will continue as scheduled. The existing project timeline slated the Mount Auburn Street roadway between School Street and Arlington Street to begin with its permanent construction work next year. However, the City Administration and the Department of Public Works felt it critical to initiate and fund the temporary paving of the remaining sections to improve road conditions before entering the winter season. Once completed, all of Mount Auburn Street between Summer Street and the Cambridge Line will have been paved over the last several weeks.

Drainage Installation and Catenary Work Continues

Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St. The catenary pole removal is continuing and will take place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

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

Are there any traffic impacts?

This work is anticipated to begin on Monday, December 2 and will take place between 7 AM and 5 PM. Please note, all dates are approximate and dependent on weather conditions. In the construction areas, you can anticipate lane closures and lane shifts. Access to side streets and driveways may be limited during this time to allow asphalt to cool. Police detail and on-site crew members will be available to help with access when necessary. Please consider alternate routes when possible.

In the area of the catenary pole removal, we anticipate only lane closures and lane shifts but no significant traffic impacts.

Are there any parking impacts?

Any 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.

Drainage Installation Work Continuing; Paving Work to Begin; Catenary Pole Removal Resumes

Paving to Start Soon! Weekend Work Included!

Paving started last week on the first 500 feet from the Cambridge line. 

Paving work is scheduled to continue from Wednesday, November 6, 2024, through Friday, November 8, 2024, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Additionally, paving will take place on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., as the construction schedule was adjusted to pause work on Election Day.

The paving work will include the side street entrances for several streets off of Mount Auburn Street in the work area. An example of the amount of area that will be included in this work onto the side streets is depicted in the image of School Lane. The side street entrances included in this phase of the project are:

Example of area to be milled and paved off on side street off of Mount Auburn Street.

Example of area to be milled and paved off on side street off of Mount Auburn Street.

• Cottage St.

• Ralph A. Piteri Tr

• St Mary St.

• Norseman Ave

• Francis St

• School Ln

• Brimmer St.

• Keenan St.

• Prentiss St.

Drainage Installation Work Continues

Newport Construction will continue the drainage work on Mount Auburn Street. The project will continue to work its way towards Arlington St.

Catenary Pole Removal to Restart 

The catenary pole removal will resume on the evening of November 6, 2024. This work will take place from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.

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

Are there any traffic impacts?

For those residing on the side streets between the Cambridge Line and Arlington Street that might be affected by the milling and paving during this time, you will be detoured toward Belmont Street. For the side streets on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street (e.g. Norseman Ave., School Ln) access to driveways and the road being worked on will be limited during paving to allow for time for asphalt to cool.  Whenever possible, consider using alternate routes.

In the area of the catenary pole removal, we anticipate only lane closures and lane shifts but no significant traffic impacts.

Are there any parking impacts?

Any 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.

Drainage Installation Work Beginning; Pole Removal Paused Temporarily

Newport Construction has begun preparing for drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street, with work set to begin on October 2, 2024. The project will start at the Cambridge line near 805 and 821 Mount Auburn St. and progress towards the intersection of Mount Auburn St. and Arlington St.

During this phase, you can expect:

• preparation work on manholes and catch basins

• excavation

• pipe installation

• back filling the holes

Work will take place Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 5 PM. We expect only lane closures during this time.

Catenary pole removal has been paused at this time. We will notify you when this work resumes.

Are there any traffic impacts?

The drainage work at this time will cause lane closures on Mount Auburn Street between the hours of 7 AM and 5 PM. 

There will be no nighttime lane closures in the time that the catenary pole removal is paused.

Catenary Line Demolition Complete; Pole Removal Started

Dagle Electric have begun the removal of the poles that once held up the catenary electric system along Mount Auburn. This work is coming after the completion of the catenary line removal in August. The catenary system in Watertown was previously used to power the MBTA 71 and 73 bus lines.

The pole removal work is scheduled to take place during evening hours from 8:00 PM each night to 4:00 AM the following morning for approximately six weeks. Work began last week and will continue again tomorrow evening. The full schedule of work will be:

• Wednesday, September 4, through Thursday, September 5

• Tuesday, September 9, through Thursday, September 12

• Tuesday, September 17, through Thursday, September 19

• Tuesday, September 24, through Thursday, September 26

• Tuesday, October 1, through Thursday, October 3

• Tuesday, October 8, through Thursday, October 10

Workers removing the poles on Mount Auburn Street that once held up the catenary wiring system.

Where is it happening and are there any traffic impacts?

The pole removal will begin at the Cambridge line and move westward down Mount Auburn Street toward Watertown Square until all of the poles are removed. Work will be done on both sides of the street during this time, and we anticipate there to be lane closures in the areas of construction, but no significant traffic impacts.

Pre-Construction Work Continues

With the pre-construction work underway, there might be activity you notice happening along Mount Auburn Street. Over the coming weeks, you may continue to see the following along the corridor:

• Tree wrapping for protection during construction

• Drainage installation

• Rodent control measures

Overhead Catenary Removal Work Begins July 9

In preparation for the beginning of roadway work on Mount Auburn Street, and after a delay from our last update, Dagle Electric is confirmed to start removing the Overhead Catenary System. The Overhead Catenary System includes the electrical lines previously being used to power MBTA route 71 and 73 buses.

This work is scheduled to take place during evening hours from 8:00 PM each night to 4:00 AM the following morning for approximately six weeks. The work is scheduled to occur on the following dates:

• Tuesday, July 9, through Thursday, July 11

• Tuesday, July 16, through Thursday, July 18

• Sunday, July 21, through Thursday, July 25

• Sunday, July 28, through Thursday, August 1

• Sunday, August 4, through Thursday, August 8

• Sunday, August 11, through Thursday, August 15

Work will start on Mount Auburn Street at Arlington Street and continue west toward Watertown Square. Lane closures will be required for crews to complete the work, but no road closures or detours will be required.

Early Construction Activities

Early action work for the Mount Auburn Street Complete Streets Project has begun. Over the coming weeks, you may continue to see the following activities along the corridor:

• Tree wrapping for protection during construction

• Drainage installation

• Rodent control measures