City Construction Projects

Welcome to the River Street Construction Webpage! This is the place to find current information and updates related to construction of the River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Project. The project includes utility and surface reconstruction of the following streets and public spaces: • River Street from Memorial Drive to Massachusetts Avenue • Carl Barron Plaza (the major public space at the intersection of River Street/Western Ave/Mass Ave in Central Square) • The MBTA bus stops and busway at Magazine/Green/River Street adjacent to Carl Barron Plaza • Pleasant Street and Tubman Square between Pleasant Place and River Street • Green Street between Magazine and Pearl Street • Magazine Street between Franklin and Green Street • Blackstone Street In addition, the project includes the following nearby neighborhood streets which are due for reconstruction under the City's Five Year Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction Plan • Fairmont Avenue / Fairmont Street / Rockwell Street / Laurel Street / Kelly Road

The City of Cambridge is moving forward with targeted improvements to the 158 Spring Street building and Ahern Field to strengthen this important East Cambridge campus. The building project focuses on addressing aging infrastructure and improving safety, accessibility, and major systems such as HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and building envelope components. Limited classroom upgrades and common area improvements will help enhance the learning environment for students, staff, and visitors. Planned upgrades to the playground and splashpad areas will improve accessibility, safety, and functionality. These multi-use spaces support both school and neighborhood use. At Ahern Field, proposed improvements include a new synthetic turf field with lighting, renovated basketball and hockey/pickleball courts, better park entrances, new seating and gathering spaces, and enhanced landscaping to create a more welcoming and active space for people of all ages.

As part of the Cycling Safety Ordinance, the City is implementing separated bike lanes on Mass Ave. from Dudley to Beech and Roseland to Waterhouse.

Sciarappa Street from Monsignor O'Brien Highway and Charles St is scheduled for reconstruction in 2022 as part of the City's Five Year Plan for Sidewalk and Street Reconstruction.

The Danehy Gateway Pavilion project, a collaboration between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Human Service Programs Recreation Division, is the construction of a new sports pavilion (5,800 sq. ft.) and other improvements to Danehy Park. Located at 100 New Street, the pavilion will serve sports teams from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) and the community. The facility will provide female athletes with more equitable access to amenities, including new restrooms, changing and locker rooms, an athletic trainer’s room, a coach’s office, storage for athletic equipment, and multi-purpose space. The pavilion will also provide public restrooms for park visitors. Additionally, the project scope includes lighting improvements to Danehy Dog Park, the provision of fiber optic to enable public internet access in the park, landscape improvements, and renovation of the existing New Street Parking Lot. The project will be net‐zero emissions (all electric) and will target LEED Gold new construction and Passive House Certification. It will include a solar photovoltaic array and provisions for future electric vehicle charging stations. The project is currently in the design phase.

Shepard Street from Garden Street to Mass Ave is scheduled for reconstruction in 2026 as part of the City’s Five Year Plan for Street and Sidewalk Reconstruction

This project consists of an underground wet weather storage tank and City facility to serve the growing needs of the City. The project is located at the recently acquired 135 Sherman Street parcel.

The City's contractor, National Water Main, is performing "cured-in-place" pipelining around the City. this process provides a new, jointless sewer pipe connection that minimizes root and water infiltration problems, improves flow and provides for a more structurally sound pipe without the need for excavation.

Linear Park, located in North Cambridge between Alewife Station and the Cambridge-Somerville city line, is a popular open space corridor for commuting and recreation. Linear Park between the Russell Field Fieldhouse and the Cambridge-Somerville city line are scheduled for reconstruction beginning in September 2025. Key Park Upgrades Include: Drainage & Irrigation Lighting & Amenities Secondary Paths Signage Tree Health & Soil For more information on the redesign and community process visit: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/CommunityDevelopment/LinearParkRedesign

The Danehy Improvement Plan project is a collaboration between the Department of Public Works, the Department of Human Service Programs Recreation Division, and the Community Development Department. The goal is to develop a shared vision of the future of Danehy Park that reflects the community’s needs and values. The final report will provide a roadmap that guides future park improvements for the next 10-15 years.