04/22/2008- community notice next phase of Super-Crosswalk construction starts next week.

Previous Updates:

03/14/2008- community notice

Harvard Square Improvements (1st contract, various locations):
In May 2006, construction began on the Harvard Square Improvement Project. These physical improvements address the storm water system, sidewalks, plazas, bicycle facilities, street lights, and street surfaces in the following locations:

• Palmer Street between Church and JFK streets will be transformed into a pedestrian destination, with a new patterned roadway, in-ground lighting, banners and improvements to the sky-bridge, as well as the addition of an outdoor theater screen for warm weather community movie nights. The street will remain open to traffic, except during special events. The project, envisioned by public artist Jody Pinto, is made possible with over $300,000 in additional contributions from five Palmer Street property owners, including Harvard University.
• Church Street between Mass Ave and Brattle Street more pedestrian friendly with a widened sidewalk along the south side of the street between Palmer Street and Mass Ave and pedestrian-scale lighting, as well as road resurfacing.
• JFK Street between Memorial Drive and Eliot Street reconstructed, with a new road surface, brick sidewalk improvements, and new lighting fixtures.
• A landscaped island at Lampoon Plaza- the wide intersection of Mt. Auburn, Bow, and Linden streets- improved pedestrian safety, eliminate the large expanse of asphalt, and beautify the area.
• Winthrop Street, between JFK and Eliot streets, a “shared street,” where sidewalks and street surfaces are on the same level, to enhance the pedestrian environment.

Super-Crosswalk (2nd contract, intersection of Mass/ Brattle/ JFK):
In August 2007, the City's contractor, D'Allessandro Corporation, began construction on the improvements at this intersection, which include:

• Reconstructing and widening brick sidewalks
• Creating larger crosswalks with new curb ramps
• Fully reconstructing the sub-base and surface of the roadway
• Installing a new traffic signal
• New bike lanes

View Image of New Palmer Street

View Image of New Lampoon Plaza


View Image Of Work in MBTA Tunnel

View Image of Super-Crosswalk Plan

The vision for these improvements began nearly eight years ago with the property-owner commissioned study—Polishing the Trophy— and has been refined over the years by a committee of residents, business owners, institutional representatives and a Harvard student. Several community meetings were also held to discuss the project with the public at large.

The first phase of Harvard Square Construction, valued at $6.8 million, represents a partnership between the City of Cambridge and Harvard University, who contributed $1.3 million to the planned improvements. The City’s contractor for this project is J. F. White Construction of Framingham.

Construction on the Super-Crosswalk, valued at $1 million, was funded through a state Transit Oriented Development Grant that was awarded after the first phase of improvements had started. The contractor is D'Allessandro Corporation of Avon.

The City of Cambridge recognizes that during construction it is important to consider the needs of businesses, residents, pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers. We are committed to managing this construction in the most effective manner possible. Louis Mothon, Project Manager for the Cambridge Department of Public Works, will be on site daily to ensure that the best construction practices are observed. All businesses and facilities in the project area will remain open and accessible at all times.

JF White’s Harvard Square Improvement contract that began in May 2006 is substantially complete. The only outstanding location is finish work on Palmer Street, which is scheduled for completion during spring 2008.

D’Allessandro Corporation began their one-year contract to reconstruct the Super-Crosswalk in September 2007, and will continue work through fall 2008.

General work hours for this construction will be Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evening and weekend construction will be minimized to the greatest extent possible.

For information or assistance, or for accommodations of special needs and/or disabilities, contact Rebecca Fuentes at (617) 349-6948/ rfuentes@cambridgema.gov.

We also send out project updates by e-mail; please e-mail rfuentes@cambridgema.gov to sign up for this distribution list.

If an emergency arises after hours or on weekends, please call the 24-Hour line at (617) 349-4860.

Thank you in advance for your patience during construction. We hope you enjoy these improvements once they are completed.

Other Online Resources

Design/ planning process:
http://www.cambridgema.gov/%7ECDD/et/infra/hsq/hsq.html.

Public art component:
http://www.cambridgema.gov/CAC/public_progress_10.html.