May 20, 2013
This week, there will be 3 crews onsite. Crew one is installing a drainage structure between Memorial Drive and Blackstone Street. Crew two is installing a new sewer line on Putnam Avenue, and the third crew is working on water service tie-ins at Howard Street.
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May 17, 2013
Beginning Monday, May 20, Putnam Avenue between River Street and Western Avenue will be open to eastbound traffic only during working hours (7 am – 4 pm), Monday through Friday for approximately 2 weeks. This lane closure is required for the installation of a new sewer manhole and new sewer mains on Putnam Avenue. Westbound traffic (Cambridgeport to Harvard Square) will be detoured at River Street. Police officers will be onsite to assist with traffic management. Access for abutters will be provided via River Street. General work hours will be Monday thru Friday, 7am-4pm and Putnam Avenue will be fully functional at the end of the work day (4pm).
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May 15, 2013
Over the past couple of months, the City’s contractor, D’Allessandro Corp., completed the installation of a new 36” drain line on Memorial Drive between the new outfall at the Charles River and Western Avenue. Crews will be on Memorial Drive this Saturday to pave the street. Memorial Drive will be limited to one lane of travel in each direction (Hingham Street to Western Ave) from 6am-6pm on Saturday, May 18. This paving operation will enhance the road conditions for motorists on Memorial Drive. Motorists should expect travel delays on both Memorial Drive and Western Avenue, so please allow for extra time. Access for cyclists and pedestrians using the Charles River path will remain at all times.
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May 13, 2013
There are currently three (3) crews located on Western Ave this week. One crew is backfilling a trench at the intersection of Western Ave and Blackstone Street. Another crew is installing a sewer manhole on Blackstone Street and the last crew is excavating at the corner of Memorial Drive and Western Ave.
Over the past couple of months, the City’s contractor, D’Allessandro Corp., completed the installation of a new 36” drain line on Memorial Drive between the new outfall at the Charles River and Western Avenue. Crews will be on Memorial Drive this Saturday, May 18, from 6am-6pm to pave the street. This paving operation will enhance the road conditions for motorists on Memorial Drive. Expect travel delays on both Memorial Drive and Western Avenue. Please allow for extra time.
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May 6, 2013
There are three (3) crews located in the Western Ave area this week. Crew one is installating a mahonle between Blackstone Street and Memorial Drive. Crew two is installating a sewer manhole on Blackstone Street and crew three is performing upgrades on the watermain near Howard Street.
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April 30, 2013
This week, there are three crews working on Western Avenue. Two crews are installing two manholes on Western Avenue between Blackstone Street and Memorial Drive. The third crew is working on the water main on Western Avenue near Howard Street.
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April 29, 2013
On Friday, May 3, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Howard Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time. Affected properties will be notified on Tuesday, April 30.
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April 24, 2013
The Western Ave Reconstruction Project Monthly Update for April 2013 is now available. This document can be found by clicking here or by visiting the "documents" tab.
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April 23, 2013
This week crews will finish backfilling and paving of the trench that was dug to install the 36" drain line near the Mememorial Drive intersection. In addition to the backfilling and paving, crews will be working on water gates, tie-ins, and water services (between Gimore and Howard on Western Ave).
Beginning Thursday, April 25, 2013, the contractor will be installing two large diameter manholes and 4 catch basins, and also continuing with the installation of the 36” drain line on Western Avenue in the vicinity of Blackstone Street. Due to the size and location of the structures, this work will impact access to and from Blackstone Street for the next 6 – 8 weeks. During general working hours (Monday thru Friday 7am-4pm), Blackstone Street residents and employees will only be able to enter and exit Blackstone Street from River Street. During non-working hours, residents and employees will be able to enter Blackstone Street at Western Avenue, but will not be able to exit Blackstone Street at Western Avenue.
The contractor will be relocating the equipment and materials currently located on the east side (Central Square side) of Blackstone Street, to the west side (Charles River side), adjacent to the Harvard University buildings. The goal is to reduce the impacts on the residential building to the extent feasible.
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April 16, 2013
This week, crews will be backfilling and paving over the workzone that was used to install the 36" drain line. In addition to backfilling, crews will be installing a sewer manhole near Gilmore Street and Western Ave.
On Wednesday, April 17, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Jay Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. All affected properties were notified on Friday, April 12. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time.
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April 11, 2013
On Tuesday, April 16, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Soden Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. All affected properties will be notified on Thursday, April 11. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time.
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April 10, 2013
On Friday, April 12, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Kinnaird Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. All affected properties have been notified. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time.
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April 9, 2013
This week, crews continue to work on the installation of the 36" drain line on Western Ave near the Memorial Drive intersection. Upgrades to the water main on Western Ave from Putnam Ave to Gilmore Street has been completed. Crews continue to work on the water services between Gilmore Street and Putnam Ave, and will be conducting sewer work on Bancroft Street. In observance of Patriot's Day, the City's contractor, D'Allessandro will not be working on Monday, April 15. Work will resume on Tuesday, April 16.
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April 8, 2013
On Tuesday, April 9, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Kinnaird Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. All affected properties will be notified today, April 5. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time.
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April 5, 2013
Today, April 5, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Jay Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. All affected properties were notified on Tuesday, April 2. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time.
On Monday, April 8, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Kinnaird Street and Western Avenue. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main between 9AM and 3PM. All affected properties will be notified today, April 5. We will make every effort to expedite this work to minimize the length of time the water will be shut down. Please take appropriate steps to store water for your anticipated needs during this time.
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April 2, 2013
This week, crews will be perform water service upgrades on Western Avenue between Putnam Avenue and Gilmore Street. Crews will also be working on the water main on Western Avenue from Gilmore Street to Howard Street. Drain line installation continues near the intersection of Western Avenue and Memorial Drive. Travel lanes will be reduced to one lane from Putnam Avenue to Memorial Drive on Western Avenue Monday thru Friday, from 7am-4pm. To avoid siginificant delays, we are encourgaing motorists to find alternative routes to their destination. MBTA bus riders should expect delays on Western Avenue during the morning commute and early evening commute.
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March 28, 2013
The City's Contractor, D'Allessandro Corporation, will not be working on the Western Avenue Project this coming Monday, April 1. Crews will resume work on Tuesday, April 2.
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March 26, 2013
Crews have recently completed the following work over the past week:
- Catch Basins on the north side of Putnam Avenue
- Installation of the 36"drain on the Memorial Drive.
- Paving of Memorial Drive on the outbound and inbound lanes.
This week, crews are expected to work on the water main on Western Avenue from Putnam Avenue to Howard Street, water service tie-ins at intersections, installation of the 36" drain line on Western Avenue, and sewer work on the south side of Putnam Avenue.
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March 22, 2013
Over the next few weeks (Beginning Monday, March 25), the City’s contractor, D’Allessandro Corp., will be working on the installation of the 36” drain line on Western Ave near Memorial Drive. This work will impact the traffic on Western Ave, as Western Ave will be reduced to one lane of travel during work hours between Blackstone Street and Memorial Drive. After working hours, motorist will regain three lanes of travel between Blackstone Street and Memorial Drive.
What To Expect During Construction
• General work hours will be 7am – 4pm, Monday thru Friday. If any night or weekend work is required by the contractor, you will be notified with a separate notice.
• One travel lane will be accessible on Western Ave (Blackstone Street to Memorial Drive) between 7am-4pm (Monday thru Friday). After 4pm, motorists will regain access to three travel lanes on Western Ave.
• Police details will be on-site to assist with traffic management.
• Noise will be generated from excavators, saws and other equipment that are required to complete the work.
To view the official notice, please click here.
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March 20, 2013
Crews have started working on the sewer this morning on the south side of Putnam Ave. Putnam Ave is closed at Western Ave, detouring traffic to Blackstone Street to get to River Street. A "Road Closed" sign is located at River Street and Putnam Avenue, but local abutters can access Putnam Ave down to Ballord Place, where an additional detour sign is set up to send traffic to Montague and then back to Western Ave.
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March 19, 2013
Over this past weekend, the City’s contractor, D’Allessandro Corp., made great progress on the installation of the new 36” drain line between the new outfall at the Charles River and Western Avenue. Additional work is needed to complete this phase of the work. In order to alleviate the disruption to the community, overnight work WILL NOT take place this week (Monday-Thursday) on Memorial Drive. Crews will be working on a 24 hour basis this weekend.
What to Expect During Construction
• Memorial Drive will be closed (Hingham Street to Western Ave) from Friday, March 22nd at 9pm to 6am Saturday, March 23rd. (Map of detour can be found in official notice)
• Traffic will be limited to single lanes of travel in both directions on Memorial Drive (between Hingham St. and Western Avenue) from Saturday, March 23rd at 6am to 9pm on Sunday, March 24th.
• Western Avenue will be consolidated into one lane of travel between Putnam Ave and Memorial Drive.
• Access for cyclists and pedestrians using the Charles River path will remain at all times.
• Every effort will be made to limit the amount of noise generated, but excavators, saws and other equipment are required to complete the work.
Please click here to view the official notice.
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March 18, 2013
This week, crews will be working on the south side of Putnam Ave performing sewer work. Putname Ave (River Street to Western Ave) will remain closed and only open to local traffic between 7am-4pm, Monday thru Friday. Crews are also working on the 8" water main on Western Avenue, heading towards Central Square.
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March 15, 2013
Tonight (Friday) from 9pm-6am, Memorial Drive will be closed from Hingham Street to Western Ave and motorists will need to utilize the detour route that has been in affect over the past two weeks during the evening. Please click here to see detour route.
Beginning at 6am on Saturday, Memorial Drive will be limited to single lanes of travel in each direction between Hingham Street and Western Ave. This traffic management plan is expected to be in effect until 5am Monday. There is a possibility that Sunday evening (9 pm-5 am) will revert back to a full closure on Memorial Drive, with motorists utilizing the detour plan.
In order to expedite this phase of the work and to limit the amount of disruption to the community during week nights, crews will proceed to work this weekend. Every effort will be made to limit the amount of noise generated, but excavators, saws and other equipment are required to complete the work.
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March 12, 2013
Due to the poor weather conditions expected for this evening, the Memorial Drive closure that was scheduled for this evening (Tuesday) from 9pm-5am will not occur.
This week crews will be working on the 12" Watermain on Western Ave from Bancroft to Howard Street and continue with sewer work on the north side of Putnam Ave.
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March 11, 2013
On Thursday, March 14, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Western Avenue and Howard Street. Residents on Howard Street and Western Ave who will be affected by the water shutdown will be notified on today, March 11, 2013. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main and this will take place between 9AM and 4PM.
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March 8, 2013
Due to poor weather conditions, crews will not be conducting sewer work today at the intersection of Western Ave and Putnam Ave. The Memorial Drive closure that was scheduled for this evening (FRIDAY) from 9pm-5am will not occur due to the snowy conditions.
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March 7, 2013
Due to poor weather conditions, crews will not be conducting sewer work today at the intersection of Western Ave and Putnam Ave. The Memorial Drive closure that was scheduled for this evening from 9pm-5am will not occur due to the snowy conditions.
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March 5, 2013
This week, crews will be working on the watermain crossing Hews Street, performing sewer work at the intersection of Putnam Avenue and Western Avenue. A crew will continue with Memorial Drive night work. Memorial Drive will be closed Sun-Fri from 9pm-5am from Western Ave to Hingham Street. Please view the official notice under the "Documents" tab for more information and detour routes.
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March 4, 2013
On Wednesday, March 6, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Western Avenue and Howard Street. Residents on Howard Street and Western Ave who will be affected by the water shutdown will be notified on today, March 4, 2013. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main and this will take place between 9AM and 4PM.
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March 1 2013
Memorial Drive will be closed Sunday thru Friday 9pm-5am from Western Ave to Hingham St. over the next several weeks due to the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. The contractor will be constructing a new 36” drain line between the new outfall at the river and Western Avenue. Please view the official notice under the "Documents" tab for more information and detour routes.
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February 26, 2013
Crews are currently working on the water main on Western Ave between Putnam Ave and Howard St. and over the next 2 weeks, D’Allessandro Corporation crews will be connecting the existing Putnam Avenue sewer into the Western Avenue sewer system. Given the location and complexity of this work, traffic on both Western Avenue and Putnam Avenue will be impacted. Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes.
During work hours, 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday - Friday, Western Avenue will be reduced to one lane at Putnam Avenue and Putnam Avenue will be restricted to southbound traffic only. Northbound traffic on Putnam Avenue will be detoured at River Street. Signage and police details will be on site during working hours to assist motorists, cyclists and pedestrians through the area.
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February 25, 2013
Crews will be under way with sewer work tomorrow at the Putnam Ave and Western Ave intersection. This work will impact traffic at the intersection and police details will be present at this location to help direct traffic.
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February 22, 2013
On Tuesday, February 26, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Western Avenue and Dodge Street. Residents on Dodge Street and Western Ave who will be affected by the water shutdown will be notified on Friday, February 22, 2013. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main and this will take place between 9AM and 4PM.
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February 20, 2013
On Friday, February 22, 2013, D’Allessandro Corporation will be performing water main work at the corner of Western Avenue and Hews Street. Residents on Hews Street and Western Ave who will be affected by the water shutdown will be notified on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. This work is in connection with the Western Ave Reconstruction Project. There will be a temporary water service interruption in order to facilitate upgrades to the water main and this will take place between 9AM and 4PM.
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February 19, 2013
This week, crews will be working on the 12” water main on Western Avenue from Putnam Avenue to Hews Street. Travel lanes will diminish to one travel lane between Dodge Street and Putnam Avenue. Travel lanes will open back up to multiple lanes from Putnam Avenue to Memorial Drive. Crews will also be removing crane pads and plates in the area as well as installing a manhole on Montague Street.
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February 11, 2013
Construction crews will not be working on Monday, February 11th due to the City’s snow operation.
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February 5, 2013
This week, crews will be backfilling and paving over work that was done on the water main at the intersection of Putnam Ave/Western Ave. Crews continue to work on Memorial Drive, closest to the Charles River, and another crew is expected to begin work on the water main between Putnam Ave and Howard Street.
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February 1, 2013
The Western Avenue Reconstruction Project includes the reconstruction of Riverside Place. City staff would like to meet with the residents of Riverside Place on February 12, 2013 to discuss the reconstruction of Riverside Place, which potentially includes changes to the street and sidewalks and opportunities for additional tree plantings.
For detailed information, please view the official notice under the “Documents” tab.
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January 29, 2013
Crews continue working on the water main at the Putnam Avenue and the water main on Western Avenue. An additional crew will be working on Memorial Drive, closest to the Charles River.
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January 22, 2013
This week, crews will continue working on the water main at the Putnam Avenue/Western Avenue intersection. An additional crew will be working on Memorial Drive, closest to the Charles River.
Last week, crews completed the paving of utility trenches on Western Avenue between Kinnard Street and Putnam Avenue, which will help alleviate some of the noise generated from trucks heading down Western Avenue. In addition to the paving, crews completed line stripping on Memorial Drive for traffic management purposes, as the crews will continue to work on Memorial Drive, closest to the Charles River. Upgrades to the water main that was located at the intersection of Putnam Avenue and Western Avenue was successfully completely.
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January 10, 2013
Beginning the week of January 14th, paving crews are scheduled to pave utility trenches on Western Ave between Howard St. and Putnam Ave. Parking on Western Ave between Howard/Putnam will be affected. Please be sure to read parking signs before you park your vehicle.
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January 9, 2013
Crews will be working on the Western Avenue water main for the next couple of weeks.
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December 10, 2012
Crews have completed the wateline work on Riverside Place. The crew will begin sewer work on Riverside Place this week.
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November 26, 2012
Crews continue with the water main work near Riverside Place.
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November 19, 2012
Crews continue with the water main work near Riverside Place.
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November 12, 2012
Crews will continue with work on the water main on Western Avenue at Blackstone Street
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November 5, 2012
Crews will begin water work this week starting at Memorial Drive.
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October 29, 2012
Crews continue to work on the water main services along Western Avenue.
General work hours will be 7AM to 4 PM, Monday-Friday. “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 24 hours in advance of construction; please be sure to check posted signs for exact dates and times. When work occurs directly in front of driveways or entryways, the contractor will coordinate access directly with residents and businesses.
There will also be the need for short water service disruptions when service is moved from the existing pipes to new pipes; when there is a planned water service disruption, residents and businesses will be notified and given detailed information 48 hours in advance.
For information and assistance related to the water work, please contact Ed Mitiguy, Resident Engineer for Kleinfelder, at 508-962-6331. Property owners within the project area who may have lead services will also receive a detailed notice from Ed regarding the process for upgrading those services.
If you ever experience any unanticipated issues with your water service, you can also contact the Water Department’s 24-hour emergency line at 617-349-4770.
We thank you for your patience during this construction, and hope that you enjoy these improvements once they are completed.
Alternative Parking
Harvard University has offered to provide some parking that residents can use on evenings and weekends to help mitigate some of the impacts of construction. Harvard will reserve 20 spaces in their Peabody Terrace Garage (entrance on Elmer Street) for residents to use weekday evenings (5 pm to 8 am) and weekends. Residents interested in taking advantage of the parking should call the Harvard Mitigation Office (617-496-0857) to receive a transponder that will allow access to the parking garage.
Please click here for overall project schedule.