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Monsignor O'Brien Highway Reconstruction - Phase 2A (Lechmere Canal Outfall)

In order to develop Cambridge Crossing, DivcoWest was required to make improvements to Monsignor O’Brien Highway from Third Street to Museum Way. These improvements have included subsurface and surface infrastructure upgrades. This section of Monsignor O’Brien Highway is being transformed from a highway into a tree lined boulevard with bicycle lanes/cycle tracks, new sidewalks and significantly improved pedestrian crossings. Due to the construction associated with the MBTA’s Green Line Extension (GLX) Project, these improvements have been phased over several years.

  • Phase 1 – Reconstruction from Third Street to Gore Street (completed 2021)
  • Phase 2A – Construction of stormwater infrastructure and new outfall at Lechmere Canal (completed 2020)
  • Phase 2B – Reconstruction from Gore Street to Land Boulevard, including portions of First Street and Cambridge Street (construction began in 2020 with anticipated completion in 2023 – current schedule is dependent on MBTA transferring ownership of former Lechmere Station parcel to DivcoWest)
  • Phase 2C – Reconstruction from Land Boulevard to Museum Way (construction expected to begin in 2022)

Phase 2A involved the construction of a new outfall at the Lechmere Canal, the installation of a 30-inch diameter stormwater pipe and limited improvements to stormwater infrastructure on Monsignor O’Brien Highway (refer to LechmereCanalOutfall_Alignment_OptionA.pdf in Documents). The new stormwater infrastructure is owned and maintained by the City of Cambridge.


Construction activities were able to be completed in 2020. 


October 24, 2019

McCourt, the contractor performing the work for DivcoWest, will mobilize a large crane to the edge of the Canal on Saturday, October 26th. In preparation for the crane and the future drain line, some trees will be removed inside of the work zone on Friday, October 25th.  When the project is complete, replacement trees will be planted in the park and around the area.

Once the crane has been set up and the proper protections are in place, sheeting installation will begin. The sheeting installation will result in noise and potential vibrations in the immediate area. We expect the sheeting installation to last three weeks. After that time, excavation will begin inside of the sheeted area to install the outfall structure at the end of the drain line.

If you have any questions or concerns, email us at mitigation@csl-consulting.com  or call us directly at (617) 866-8971. 


April 30, 2019

Construction of stormwater infrastructure and new outfall at Lechmere Canal (begins late 2019)


July 12, 2018

DivcoWest is finalizing construction plans with the Conservation Commission, the Cambridge Arts Council and the Lechmere Canal Park Committee. Due to an unforeseen circumstance with the Never Green Tree, McCourt Construction (DivcoWest’s contractor) was unable to remove the branches as planned. Other options are being evaluated so the crane required to construct the cofferdam can be mobilized to the site. The cofferdam is needed for the new outfall construction which is the first step in the construction sequence. McCourt continues with some preliminary activities at the site.


May 23, 2018

DivcoWest’s contractor, McCourt Construction, started preliminary activities in May 2018. These activities included meeting with the Lechmere Canal Park Committee, the Director of Operations for Cambridgeside, the Cambridge Arts Council and other groups with events planned during the construction period.

McCourt is currently planning for the mobilization of a crane. The crane will be used to construct a temporary cofferdam needed for outfall construction. The extent of the site preparation is still being evaluated and mobilization activities will increase over the next few weeks.

On Monday, June 4, McCourt will mobilize to install site fencing and erosion controls.

On Monday, June 7, McCourt will assist USArt and the Cambridge Arts Council with removal of the branches of the Never Green Tree. These items will be packaged and stored during construction. All activities relating to the removal of public art have been coordinated with the Cambridge Arts Council.

The City is assisting with construction coordination and has DPW construction inspectors on site during activities.

 

Construction completed 2019-2020

 

In order to develop Cambridge Crossing, DivcoWest is required to make improvements to Monsignor O’Brien Highway from Third Street to Museum Way.  These improvements include subsurface and surface infrastructure upgrades. This section of Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be transformed from a highway into a tree lined boulevard with bicycle lanes/cycle tracks, new sidewalks and significantly improved pedestrian crossings. Due to the MBTA’s Green Line Extension (GLX) Project, these improvements must be phased.

  • Phase 1 – Reconstruction from Third Street to Gore Street (begins June 2018)
  • Phase 2A – Construction of stormwater infrastructure and new outfall at Lechmere Canal (begins May 2018)
  • Phase 2B – Reconstruction from Gore Street to Land Boulevard, including portions of First Street and Cambridge Street (construction is dependent on GLX Project schedule)
  • Phase 3 – Reconstruction from Land Boulevard to Museum Way (construction is dependent on GLX Project schedule)

Phase 2A will involve the construction of a new outfall at the Lechmere Canal, the installation of a 30-inch diameter stormwater pipe and limited improvements to stormwater infrastructure on Monsignor O’Brien Highway (refer to LechmereCanalOutfall_Alignment_OptionA.pdf in Documents). The new stormwater infrastructure will be owned and maintained by the City of Cambridge.


construction@cambridgema.gov


Page was posted on 5/23/2018 4:22 PM
Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 3:41 AM
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