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Yerxa
Road Pedestrian Underpass
City
of Cambridge Engineering Project
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Project
Overview |
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During April 2005, the City’s
contactor, JF White Contracting
Co, began construction at the
Yerxa Road Pedestrian Underpass
(which runs under the railroad
tracks between Yerxa Road and
Walden Square Road). This construction—which
includes reconstruction of the
underpass and other site improvements—will
take approximately 18 months
to complete.
Important:
For safety reasons, the underpass
will be closed to pedestrians
during this construction. Please
use the detour from Walden Square
Road, to Sherman Street, to
Pemberton Street. Throughout
construction, a bus will run
between the Peabody School and
Walden Square to take children
to and from school.
Never attempt
to cross the railroad tracks
at an illegal crossing. Educate
children on the danger of crossing
railroad tracks. Learn more
about railroad safety at www.operationlifesaver.org.
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View
Detour Map |
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| View
Final Renovation Plan |
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Why
is this Project Necessary? |
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Since
1993, the City of Cambridge and
the North Cambridge neighborhood
have been planning for safe and
direct crossings of the Fitchburg
commuter rail line that runs through
the North Cambridge community.
The original Yerxa Road underpass,
which was constructed in 1905,
provided a pedestrian connection
between Walden Square and the
Peabody School. However, it was
not ADA compliant, was poorly
lit, and had structural deficiencies. |
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What
is Being Done to Fix the Problem?
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The
rebuilt Yerxa Road underpass will
continue to connect the dense
residential areas of Walden Square
and Richdale Avenue on the south
side of the tracks with numerous
facilities on the north side of
the tracks, including the Peabody
School, Bergin Park, McMath Park,
and the Gately Youth Center, as
well as #83 MBTA bus on Rindge
Avenue.
The underpass design is fully
ADA compliant and will safely
and comfortably accommodate
both pedestrians and cyclists.
The underpass will include a
new walkway with lighting, retaining
walls, and handrails, plantings,
a small seating area, and new
fencing along the railroad right
of way to prevent people from
crossing the tracks.
Repairing the underpass will
require significant construction
activity, including excavation
and earthwork, driving (and
later removing) supportive metal
sheeting with a large crane,
and three different track relocation
operations. This project will
also involve the placement of
new water, sewer, and drainage
lines. In order to accommodate
metal sheeting and utilities,
the contractor will be removing
numerous trees from the site
(which will be replaced at the
end of the project).
Given the extent of heavy construction
at this location, the work zone
will be fenced off for the entire
duration of the project. Please
do not enter the work zone,
and make sure children do the
same. |
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Who
is Responsible for the Project? |
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The
City's Community Development Department
worked with designers from Crosby,
Schlessinger, Smallridge, engineers
from TranSystems, and members
of the North Cambridge community
to plan and design this project.
Construction oversight is being
provided by the Department of
Public Works and CDM. The contractor
for this project is JF White Contracting
Co. |
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What
is the Project Schedule? |
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Construction
will take approximately 18 months
to complete. General work hours
for this construction will be
Monday through Friday, 7 AM
to 5 PM. Evening and weekend
construction will be minimized
to the greatest extent possible,
and will be limited to railroad
track relocation (which must
be done at off-peak travel hours),
and to certain utility and emergency
situations.
“No Parking” signs
will be posted in affected areas
at least 24 hours in advance
of construction. Please avoid
parking in work zones during
posted work hours. |
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Who
Will Address My Concerns? |
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If
you need assistance, or have
any questions or concerns during
this construction, please contact
Robert Gowen, Resident Engineer,
at the CDM Field Office during
work hours at (617) 497-0371
You can also contact Rebecca
Fuentes, Community Relations
Manager for the Department of
Public Works at (617) 349-6948/
rfuentes@cambridgema.gov;
please also contact Rebecca
if you have a special need or
disability that requires an
accommodation or continuation
of special services during construction.
If you are directed to Rebecca’s
voicemail, you will have the
option of leaving a message,
or connecting to the receptionist,
who can page a member of the
project team in the field in
the case of an emergency.
If an emergency arises after
hours or on weekends, please
call the 24-Hour line at (617)
349-4860.
We thank you for your patience
during this construction. We
hope you enjoy these improvements
once they are completed. |
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