Gore Street and Rufo Road Reconstruction Project - Cost-waiver parking program
The City’s contractor, Newport Construction, has begun work on the Gore Street Reconstruction Project next. We understand that there may be times when this construction may limit on-street parking in the area.
While the City does not normally accommodate for lost parking during road reconstruction projects, given the extended duration and scope of this particular project, and the limited options for neighborhood parking, the City will be extending the monthly parking program at the First Street Garage that was established during the utility phase of this project.
The City will waive the normal $50 monthly parking pass fee for certain residents during the time of construction.
Who is eligible for this program? The cost-waiver program is limited to residents impacted by the Gore Street Construction Project. Residents of Gore St. and immediate abutters with a valid residential parking permit.
How do I apply? You must be pre-approved to sign up for the pass. If you are interested, please email Kate Riley, kriley@cambridgema.gov with your name and address. Once resident parking status is confirmed, we'll send back an application and then the monthly parking pass will be issued.
Thank you for your patience as we begin work on this project. For more information about the Gore Street Reconstruction Project, please visit the project page. Here you can find updates about the project, an overall schedule and information about the community process.
Gore Street and Rufo Road Reconstruction Project - Tree pruning to begin Wednesday January 27th
The City's contractor, Newport Construction, has completed installation of tree protection and will begin tree pruning on Wednesday, January 27th. Work will take place between the hours of 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM. This work is expected to take approximately 3 days to complete.
Over the next two weeks, Newport will be completing test pits and TV and cleaning several sewer and drain lines.
What to Expect During Construction:
- Work hours will be 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday-Friday.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be maintained but may be restricted for short periods. If you need access and your driveway is blocked, please speak to a crew member on site and they will make accommodations for you.
- Emergency vehicles and vehicles for City services (Trash, etc) will have access at all times.
Gore Street and Rufo Road Reconstruction Project - Work to begin the week of January 11th
Dear Neighbor:
The DPW has awarded the contract for the Gore Street and Rufo Road Reconstruction project to Newport Construction.
On or about Monday, January 11th, Newport will be mobilizing to commence construction. Initial activities will include installation of tree protection and utility work. Work will continue through winter as weather permits and will ramp up in spring with additional crews to support utility installations. The project is anticipated to take two years with the road and sidewalk work anticipated to commence in fall of this year.
As a reminder, the project will include utility work, roadway resurfacing, sidewalk reconstruction including accessible pedestrian crossings and tree plantings along Gore Street (from Somerville to Monsignor O’Brien Highway) and Rufo Road. Project plans remain consistent with the plans developed as part of a community process that concluded in 2019. Plans and presentations from this process can be reviewed on the project webpage: www.cambridgema.gov/GorestRuford .
What to Expect During Construction:
- Work hours will be 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday-Friday.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be maintained but may be restricted for short periods. If you need access and your driveway is blocked, please speak to a crew member on site and they will make accommodations for you.
- Emergency vehicles and vehicles for City services (Trash, etc) will have access at all times.
Additional information on the project, including the contractors full project schedule, will be posted on the project page. As part of COVID-19 protocols, paper flyers for project information will be limited and updates will be posted on-site, on the project page and emailed to those on the project list. To be added to this list, please visit the “Contact” tab of the project page.
Contractors are required to follow the safety guidelines established by the State and submit their COVID-19 Control Plans to the City. This plan will require attention to:
- Social Distancing -- remain six feet apart to the greatest extent possible and wear face coverings
- Hygiene Protocols – provide hand washing stations
- Staffing and Operations – provide training for staff and screen employees for COVID-19 like symptoms
- Cleaning and Disinfecting -- Disinfect all common surfaces
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Kara Falise, Senior Engineer, at 617-349-4827 / kfalise@cambridgema.gov. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
January 2021: The project schedule can be found in the "Documents" tab.
September 2020: The project is out to bid with all bids due by October 1st.
Eversource Gas and Divco West, the developer of Cambridge Crossing (formerly known as NorthPoint), are currently upgrading utilities on Gore St between Monsignor O’Brien Highway and Warren St.
Following this construction, the City will reconstruct the watermain, replace any lead services, and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalks on Gore St. This is an opportunity to improve Gore St for residents, as well as for people walking and biking along the street. We gathered ideas and feedback during the first meeting on Tuesday, June 19th and incorporated them into an initial plan for the street.
Please join City staff on Thursday, November 1st from 6:30PM-8PM in the Community Room of the Millers River Apartments to review this plan and provide feedback and discussion about the street and sidewalk reconstruction of Gore St. and Rufo Rd.
For Information or Assistance:
If you have any questions regarding the current construction, please contact Divco West at mitigation@csl-consulting.com or by phone at 617-866-8971. For more information, please visit the project website www.npconstruction.info .
If you have any questions regarding the redesign of Gore Street, please contact Kate Riley, Community Relations, at 617.349.4870 or kriley@cambridgema.gov. For information and plans from previous meetings or to join the email distribution list for this project visit http://bit.ly/GoreStRufoRd.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.
On Monday, July 9th, the City Arborist, Dave Lefcourt, held a training regarding managing city trees during construction. Eversource and its subcontractor were in attendance. A copy of that training can be found in the "Documents" tab of this page.
The following letter was sent on July 6th.
Dear Gore Street Resident:
I am writing regarding the incident that occurred on Tuesday, June 20, 2018 on Gore Street and as a follow up to my June 20th letter. Since that time, we have heard from several neighbors requesting additional information about the incident the caused the large pin oak to be taken down.
Eversource Gas had agreed to relocate the gas service for improved access to the residence at 94 Gore Street, but in doing so, shifted the service much closer to the tree. During the trenching operation for the new gas service, the excavation damaged a significant portion of the root structure of the tree. Neither the City Arborist or the City’s field representative were informed of the proposed change in location of the service. Once the City’s field representative saw what was happening he immediately stopped the excavation and called for the City Arborist to come on site and inspect. The City Arborist and an independent certified arborist evaluated the tree and the damage to the root structure. Each of them concluded that the tree needed to be removed immediately due to the extent and severity of the root damage and the tree was removed on June 21, 2018.
The damage to the street tree was an egregious breach of the City’s permit requirements with Eversource Gas and they were immediately stopped from working on Gore Street. The street tree and its canopy cannot be replaced, but the City has engaged an independent arborist to appraise the value of the tree and has put Eversource on notice that full restitution of the tree is expected. The location will be replanted and we will work with the City Arborist during the Gore Street design process to determine if one or more larger than typical trees can be successfully planted in this and adjacent locations.
Over the last two weeks, the City has been working with Eversource Gas and their contractor to understand what measures they are implementing to ensure that their work is properly planned and executed to avoid any additional damage to street trees in the City. To that end, Eversource Gas will take the following steps;
- The Eversource contractor crew that was on site on June 20th has been removed from Gore Street. A new crew has been identified to complete the work on Gore Street.
- Eversource staff and their contractor’s staff responsible for installing new gas mains and services in the City of Cambridge will attend a training hosted by the City Arborist and myself to review construction techniques and proper tree protection measures.
- Eversource will develop a “lessons learned” document and review it with all pipeline contractors and Eversource personnel. The document will highlight;
- The June 20th damage to the Gore Street tree.
- The importance of reviewing permit requirements prior to starting a job.
- The importance of adhering to permit requirements.
- No excavation or equipment allowed within 3 feet of the outer bark of any tree, or in such a manner as to injure the roots of any tree, without the written consent of the City Arborist.
- Proper tree protection around all trees within the scope of the project
- The critical need to protect the root systems of trees during excavation.
- Procedures for resolving questions about conflicts between planned or active excavation activities and tree roots.
Eversource Gas understands the significance of this incident and has re-affirmed their commitment to completing their critical infrastructure upgrades safely and efficiently, while protecting street trees and minimizing the impact to residents.
Please contact me at kwatkins@cambridgema.gov / 617-349-4751 with any questions about the incident, to learn more about what is being done to mitigate the loss of the street trees, or for information about the overall Gore Street construction project.
Sincerely,
Katherine F. Watkins
City Engineer
Project Documents Added
Several documents have been added to the project website for your review:
- The presentation given the night of the meeting
- All of the resident comments gathered from each group
- The plan overview
- A map of the existing conditions on Gore St.
- The "Toolbox Board" listing different design options used in street reconstruction
These can be found in the "Documents" tab.
The following letter was sent on June 20th.
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Dear Residents of Gore Street,
Thank you to everyone that attended the very productive community meeting last night to begin the design process for Gore Street and Rufo Road. We were excited by the exceptional turnout and the thoughtful input and look forward to working with you all on designing and implementing improvements along Gore St and Rufo Rd. We are currently summarizing the comments and will be posting them and the presentation on the City's website. I will send out an email update with a link once the material is posted.
I am unfortunately writing to you regarding an incident that occurred earlier today on Gore Street. In excavating a trench for a new gas service, Eversource's contractor caused considerable damage to a significant street tree located at 94 Gore Street. Eversource had agree to relocate the gas service for improved access to the residence, but in doing so, shifted the service closer to the tree. During the trenching operation for the new gas service, the excavation damaged a significant portion of the root structure of the tree. It is with great regret that we have concluded that this tree must be taken down.
This work was an egregious breach of the City's permit requirements with Eversource. The City has shutdown Eversource from working on Gore Street until additional tree protection measures are implemented and restitution of the damage to city property has been determined.
Removal of the Street Tree:
The City Arborist and an independent certified arborist have evaluated the tree and the damage to the root structure. Each of them has recommended that the tree be removed immediately due to the extent and severity of the root damage.
The tree will be removed on Thursday June 21, 2018. A professional tree removal company has been hired and the removal process will be overseen by the City Arborist. The street tree and its canopy cannot be replaced, but the location will be replanted. We will work with the City Arborist during the Gore Street design process to determine if one or more larger than typical trees can be successfully replanted in this location.
I cannot emphasize enough the City's commitment to maintaining and enhancing our urban tree canopy. This incident is not a reflection of that commitment and we all recognize that it is simply unacceptable. Please contact me at kwatkins@cambridgema.gov / 617-349-4751 with any questions about the incident, to learn more about what is being done to mitigate the loss of the street trees, or for information about the overall Gore Street construction project.
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Sincerely,
Kathy Watkins
City Engineer
Assistant Commissioner of Engineering
Cambridge Department of Public Works
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COMMUNITY MEETING NOTICE- Gore St & Rufo Rd reconstruction
Eversource Gas and Divco West, the developer of Cambridge Crossing (formerly known as NorthPoint), are currently upgrading utilities on Gore St between Monsignor O’Brien Highway and Warren St.Following this construction, the City will reconstruct the watermain, replace any lead services, and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalks on Gore St. This is an opportunity to improve Gore St for residents, as well as for people walking and biking along the street.
The City has received initial requests from residents for traffic calming, sidewalk improvements, street trees, signage, and more. We want to hear from you regarding what works well; what needs improving; and what changes should be incorporated into the project. The project will also include the reconstruction of Rufo Rd between Gore St and the Somerville line.
Please join city staff on Tuesday, June 19th from 7-8:30pm in the Community Room of the Millers River Apartments to learn more about the street and sidewalk reconstruction and to give your input on what, if any, changes should be incorporated into the reconstruction of Gore St and Rufo Rd.
For Information or Assistance: If you have any questions regarding the current construction, please contact Divco West at mitigation@csl-consulting.com or by phone at 617-866-8971. For more information, please visit the project website www.npconstruction.info .If you have any questions regarding the redesign of Gore Street, please contact Kate Riley, Community Relations, at 617.349.4870 or kriley@cambridgema.gov. To join the email distribution list for this project please email Kate or visit http://bit.ly/GoreSt to join.Thank you in advance for your cooperation and patience.
The following schedule is updated as of January 2021
Winter 2021: Sewer inspection, cleaning and lining and drainage installation.
Spring 2021: Water main and service replacement.
Fall 2021/Winter 2022: Traffic signal Improvements, excavation of roadway and primary asphalt binder application, begin curb and sidewalk reconstruction.
Spring/Summer 2022: Curb and sidewalk reconstruction.
Fall 2022: Final roadway paving. Punchlist items.
Winter 2022: Project completion.
January 2021: The project schedule can be found in the "Documents" tab.
September 2020: The project is out to bid with all bids due by October 1st
June 19th: Design Kick Off- Community Meeting
November 1st: Survey and Design Concepts- Community Meeting to evaluate concepts
Winter-Spring 2018-2019: Design Finalization
- Upcoming Community Meeting to review design
- Traffic Data Collection
Eversource Gas and Divco West, the developer of Cambridge Crossing (formerly known as NorthPoint), are currently upgrading utilities on Gore St between Monsignor O’Brien Highway and Warren St.
Following this construction, the City will reconstruct the watermain, replace any lead services, and reconstruct the roadway and sidewalks on Gore St. This is an opportunity to improve Gore St for residents, as well as for people walking and biking along the street. The City has received initial requests from residents for traffic calming, sidewalk improvements, street trees, signage, and more. We want to hear from you regarding what works well; what needs improving; and what changes should be incorporated into the project. The project will also include the reconstruction of Rufo Rd between Gore St and the Somerville line.