River Street Infrastructure & Streetscape Project Neighborhood Appreciation Day! Sunday, April 28, 12-3 p.m., Riverside Press Park, 880 Memorial Drive, Cambridge, MA
We truly appreciate your patience and support as we continue construction to improve our streets and sidewalks. As a small thank you, come join project staff to celebrate the bright future of the River Street neighborhood. Learn more about the project, the current construction schedule, and view designs and renderings of River Street, Tubman Square, and Carl Barron Plaza.
Free Food, Free Face Painting, Free Bike Tune-Ups: Bring you bike for a complimentary tune-up and get ready to ride this spring, Live Music. View the Event Flyer here.
River Street Reconstruction Project Coffee Talk Session, Tuesday, April 23, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Residents, business owners and their employees are invited to stop by a Coffee Talk to meet with City staff and contractors to ask questions related to the River Street Reconstruction Project.
April 2024:
Week of April 1:
- River St: Water Services
- Green St: Drainage work
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
Week of April 8:
- River St: Green St to Kinnaird St Water Services & Drainage work
- & Western Ave: Mass Ave to Green St Drainage installations
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
- Carl Barron Plaza: Pave pedestrian walkways
Week of April 15:
No work on Monday April 15th due to Patriots Day Holiday
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St water services & drainage work
- & Western Ave: Mass Ave to Green St drain installation
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St water services
- Carl Barron Plaza: Ribbon Foundation
Week of April 22:
- River St @ Pleasant St: Move Fire Hydrant
- & Western Ave: Mass Ave to Green St Drain installations
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St Water services
- Carl Barron Plaza: Test Pits & Ribbon Foundations
Week of April 29:
- River St: Green to Kinnaird Drainage installations
- Water Services
- Mass Ave to Green drain installations
- Carl Barron Plaza: Ribbon Foundations
Notice: River Street River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Project - upcoming construction impacts to Magazine, Franklin, and Green Streets
Beginning approximately Wednesday, February 28, our contractor P. Gioioso & Sons (PGS) will be performing water main work requiring partial closures of portions of Magazine, Green and Franklin Streets. Expected impacts are as follows. Please note that all dates are approximate, and are subject to change due to weather conditions, or other conditions affecting the progress of the work.
Note that all closures and restrictions described below will be in effect Monday-Friday, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM. At other times all streets should be open to normal traffic without restrictions.
FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 15 (APPROXIMATE)
- PGS will have a work zone at the Magazine/Green Street intersection.
- Green Street will be blocked to vehicular traffic at Magazine Street.
- Green Street will operate as 2-way between Magazine and Pearl, under police control, to allow for local traffic and access to/from the Green Street Garage.
- MBTA buses #47, #70, #83 and #91 will be detoured. Detailed signs will be posted in advance at impacted bus stops.
- Pedestrians will be able to use Green Street, and access will be provided around the work site.
- Magazine Street will be closed to vehicles between Franklin and Green Streets. Pedestrian traffic will be maintained, and access will be provided around the work zone.
- Vehicular detour routes will be posted for all of the above impacts.
MARCH 1 – MARCH 5 (APPROXIMATE)
- In addition to the above, PGS will have a work zone at the Magazine/Franklin Street intersection.
- Franklin Street will be closed to vehicular traffic between River Street and Magazine Street. Pedestrian access will be maintained.
- Franklin Street will be open as usual as a one-way street between Magazine and Pearl; but vehicles can only access this block by making a right-turn off of Magazine.
- Vehicular detour routes will be posted for all of the above impacts.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THIS WORK?
- Work hours will be Monday-Friday, 7 AM – 4 PM.
- There will be noise from the operations, as the use of heavy equipment is involved.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted 48-hours in advance. Please be sure to check dates and times.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you have any questions about this upcoming work, or if you need assistance, including if you have any special needs or disabilities that require special accommodations, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.
For after-work hours emergencies, call the Department of Public Works hotline at 617-349-4800.
March 2024:
Week of March 4:
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St Water service work
- Side Streets Drainage work (Fairmont Ave, Fairmont St, Rockwell St, Laurel St and Kelly Road)
- Green St: Test pits
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St Water Main work
Week of March 11:
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St Water service and Drainage work
- Mass Ave to Green St, Green St water connection work
- Green to Kinnaird St water main work
- Side Streets Drainage work (Fairmont Ave, Fairmont St, Rockwell St, Laurel St and Kelly Road)
- Green St: Test pits
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St Water Main work
Week of March 18:
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St Drainage work and Water Main work
- Mass Ave to Green St Water Main work
- @ Blackstone St: test pits
- Side Streets: Drainage work (Fairmont Ave, Fairmont St, Rockwell St, Laurel St and Kelly Road)
- Western Ave flowfill brick culverts
- Blackstone St: Test pits
Week of March 25:
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St water work
- Green to Kinnaird water main tie in
- @ Western Ave flowfill brick culverts
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St water main work
February 2024:
Week of Jan 29:
- River St: Water services and Hydrant Work Green to Kinnaird St
- Franklin St drainage work
- Mass Ave to Green St: Water main installation
- Mass Ave to Green St: Median island removal
- Green to Kinnaird St: Water Main Work
- Magazine St: Water Service work from Green to Franklin
Week of Feb 5:
- Blackstone St: Test pits
- River St: Test pits in various locations for pedestrian signals
- Green to Kinnaird: drainage work
- Mass Ave to Green St: Water main work
- Green to Mass Ave: Median Island Removal
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St water main work
Week of February 12:
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St Water Main work
- Green to Franklin St: water main installation
- River St: Mass Ave to Green Water service connection work
Week of February 19:
No work on February 19th
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St water services
- Mass Ave to Green St water service connections work
- Magazine St: Green to Franklin St Water work
Week of February 26:
- River St: Green to Kinnaird St water services
- Mass Ave to Green St Water Work
- Green to Kinnaird St water work
- Magazine St: Water Main Work
** Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
January 2024:
No work January 1st to January 14th
Week of January 15th:
- Magazine St: Test Pits from Green St to Franklin St
- River St: @ Franklin St Drainage Work
Week of January 22:
- River St: Hydrant work Green St to Kinnaird
- Mass Ave to Green St: Water Main Installation
Week of January 29:
- River St: Water services and Hydrant Work Green to Kinnaird St
- Franklin St drainage work
- Mass Ave to Green St: Water main installation
- Mass Ave to Green St: Median island removal
- Magazine St: Water Service work from Green to Franklin
*** Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
December 2023:
December 2023 Carl Barron Plaza Newsletter available to view here.
Week of December 4th:
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
- Rockwell St: Test pits.
- River Street: Water main installation Green St to Kinnaird St
- Drainage work from Green St to Kinnaird St
Week of December 11th:
- Side Streets: Lead water service replacements
- River St: Water services from Green to Kinnaird St
- Drainage Installation from Green to Kinnaird St
- Franklin St @ River St: Drainage Installation at intersection
- Mass Ave Service Tie-In/Shutdown
- Pleasant St: @ Laurel St: Drainage work
Week of December 18th:
*No work on December 22nd
- River St: Water services from Green St to Kinnaird St
- Kelly @ River St: Drainage work
- Carol Baron Plaza: Demolition & Test pits
Week of December 25:
No work from December 25th - December 31
*** Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
November 2023:
Week of October 30:
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
- Green St & Magazine St: Test pits
- River St: Water installation from Green St to Kinnaird St
Week of November 6:
No work on Tuesday November 7th & Friday November 10th
- Green St & Magazine St: Test pits
- River St: Water main installation from Green St to Kinnaird St
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
Week of November 13:
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
- Green St & Magazine St: Test pits
- River St: Test pits from Green St to Mass Ave
- Water main installation from Green St to Kinnaird St
Week of November 20th:
No work on Thursday November 23rd & November 24th
- Green St and Magazine St: Test pits
- River St: Water Main installation from Green St to Kinnaird St
Week of November 27th:
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
- Green St and Magazine St: Test Pits
- River St: Median Island Removal from Green St to Mass Ave
- Water Main installation Green St to Kinnaird St
*** Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
October 2023:
Week of October 2:
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
- Blackstone St: Test Pits
- River St: Drain Installations from Cottage to Green St
- Water main installations from Pleasant St to Green
Week of October 9:
*No work on Monday October 9th
- Blackstone St: Test pits
- River St: Water main installation from Pleasant St to Green St
Week of October 16:
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
- Blackstone St: Test pits
- River St: Drain Installation from Cottage to Green St
- Water Main Installation from Green St to Kinnaird St
Week of October 23:
- Blackstone St: Test pits
- River St: Water Main installation from Green St to Kinnaird St
***Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
September 2023:
Week of September 4:
*No work on Monday September 4
- River St: Test Pits from Green St. to Mass Ave.
- Drain Installation from Cottage St. to Green St.
Week of September 11:
- River St: Test pits from Green to Mass Ave
- Test Pits at River and Putnam Ave intersection
- Drain installation between Cottage to Green St
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
Week of September 18:
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
- Blackstone St: Test pits
- River St: Drain Installations from Cottage to Green St
- Pleasant to Green St water main installation
- Tie in/Shutdown Western Ave at River St intersection
Week of September 25:
- Test pits/borings for traffic signal foundations - Five locations along River St between Memorial Drive and Mass Ave
- River St: Drain installation from Cottage to Green
- Pleasant to Green water main installation
- Service Tie-In on River St @ Western Ave
***Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
August 2023:
Week of August 7th
- River St: Test pits from Green St. to Mass Ave.
- Drain installation from Cottage St. to Green St.
Week of August 14th
- River St: Test pits from Green St. to Mass Ave.
- Drain installation from Cottage St. to Green St.
Week of August 21:
- River St: Test pits between Green St. and Mass Ave.
- Drain Installation between Cottage St. and Green St.
- River St: Test pits between Green St. and Mass Ave.
- Test pits at Memorial Drive
- Drain installation between Cottage St. and Green St.
***Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
July 2023:
Week of July 10
- River St.: Test pit at Rockwell St.
- Drain installation from Kinnaird St. to Cottage St. and Cottage St. to Green St.
Week of July 17
- River St.: Test pits at Blackstone St.
- Drain installation from Cottage St. to Green St.
- Kelly Rd.: Water service connections
Week of July 24
- River St.: Test pits from Green St. to Mass Ave.
- Drain installation from Cottage St. to Green St.
- Kelly Rd.: Water service connection/shutdown at Magazine St.
Week of July 31
*****Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
June 2023:
Week of June 5th
- Test pits on River St (Putnam to Blackstone, and Blackstone to Memorial)
- Water main installation on Kelly Road
- Drain installation on River Street (Kinnaird to Cottage)
- Sewer and drain lining on Laurel St and Kelly Rd
Week of June 12
- River St: Test pits between Putnam Ave and Rockwell St
- Kelly Rd: Water services between Pleasant St and Magazine St
Week of June 19
- River St: Sewer work between William St and Auburn St
Water work at Pleasant St
- Kelly Rd: Water services between Pleasant St and Magazine St
Week of June 26
- River St: Test pits between Green St and Mass Ave
Drainage installation between Cottage St and Green St
- Fairmont St: catch basin lateral pipe lining
- Kelly Rd: catch basin lateral pipe lining
- Rockwell St: catch basin lateral pipe lining
*****Work is weather dependent. Schedule subject to change based on field conditions.
Notice: River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Project - Construction Update: May 4, 2023
We would like to provide this update on what construction work is expected over the next several weeks for the River Street project, including associated neighborhood streets.
Our Contractor P. Gioioso & Sons (PGS) expects to have multiple crews working as follows. Please note that dates are approximate, and are subject to change due to weather conditions, or unforeseen underground conditions which could impact work progress.
RIVER STREET
- Excavation of exploratory test pits will continue on River Street between Memorial Drive and Putnam Avenue over the next two weeks
- Towards mid-May, the test pit locations will shift to the segment between Putnam Avenue and Rockwell Street.
FAIRMONT STREET
- Crews will continue to switch over individual building water services to the new water main this week.
ROCKWELL STREET (REVISED)
- There will be several partial-day water main shutdowns planned for the week of May 8 and May 15, in order to make a connection at the Pleasant Street end and to install new valves and hydrants. Not all properties on Rockwell Street will be impacted by each shutdown. Properties which will be impacted will receive more specific notices three days in advance of the planned shutdown
LAUREL STREET (REVISED)
- There is a partial-day water main shutdown planned for the week of May 8, in order to make a connection at the Pleasant Street end. Properties which will be impacted will receive more specific notices three days in advance of the planned shutdown.
KELLY ROAD
- There is a partial-day water main shutdown planned for the week of May 1, in order to make a connection at the Pleasant Street end. This shutdown will only impact the block between Pleasant and Magazine. Properties which will be impacted will receive more specific notices three days in advance of the planned shutdown.
- During the week of May 8, installation of new water main between Pleasant and Magazine Streets will begin.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THIS WORK?
- Work hours will be Monday-Friday, 7 AM – 4 PM.
- There will be noise from the operations, as the use of heavy equipment is involved.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted 48-hours in advance. Please be sure to check dates and times.
- Vehicle traffic and accessible pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. However, due to the narrowness of some of the streets, vehicle access may be restricted to one end of a street, or may need to be "wrong-way" at certain times. Drivers should pay careful attention to posted signs and detours.
- Emergency vehicles and city services such as trash collection will have access at all times.
HOW CAN I STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE PROJECT?
Please visit Cambridgema.gov/RiverStreet. Notices such as this one will be posted at that site, and you will also be able to sign-up to have notices and other updates automatically emailed to you.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you have any questions about this upcoming work, or if you need assistance, including if you have any special needs or disabilities that require special accommodations, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.
For after-work hours emergencies, call the Department of Public Works hotline at 617-349-4800.
Notice: River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Project - Construction Update: May 1, 2023
We would like to provide this update on what construction work is expected over the next several weeks for the River Street project, including associated neighborhood streets.
Our Contractor P. Gioioso & Sons (PGS) expects to have multiple crews working as follows. Please note that dates are approximate, and are subject to change due to weather conditions, or unforeseen underground conditions which could impact work progress.
RIVER STREET
- Excavation of exploratory test pits will continue on River Street between Memorial Drive and Putnam Avenue over the next two weeks.
- Towards mid-May, the test pit locations will shift to the segment between Putnam Avenue and Rockwell Street.
FAIRMONT STREET
- Crews will continue to switch over individual building water services to the new water main this week.
ROCKWELL STREET
- There is a partial-day water main shutdown tentatively planned for the week of May 8, in order to make a connection at the Pleasant Street end. Properties which will be impacted will receive more specific notices three days in advance of the planned shutdown.
LAUREL STREET
- Crews will install a drainage manhole and two drainage inlets (catch basins), at the River Street end of the street. The work should take 2-3 days, and will be performed at the end of this week, and/or the beginning of next week.
KELLY ROAD
- There is a partial-day water main shutdown planned for the week of May 1, in order to make a connection at the Pleasant Street end. This shutdown will only impact the block between Pleasant and Magazine. Properties which will be impacted will receive more specific notices three days in advance of the planned shutdown.
- During the week of May 8, installation of new water main between Pleasant and Magazine Streets will begin.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING THIS WORK?
- Work hours will be Monday-Friday, 7 AM – 4 PM.
- There will be noise from the operations, as the use of heavy equipment is involved.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted 48-hours in advance. Please be sure to check dates and times.
- Vehicle traffic and accessible pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. However, due to the narrowness of some of the streets, vehicle access may be restricted to one end of a street or may need to be "wrong-way" at certain times. Drivers should pay careful attention to posted signs and detours.
- Emergency vehicles and city services such as trash collection will have access at all times.
HOW CAN I STAY INFORMED ABOUT THE PROJECT?
Please visit: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/cityprojects/2022/riverstreetreconstructionproject
Notices such as this one will be posted at that site, and you will also be able to sign-up to have notices and other updates automatically emailed to you.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
If you have any questions about this upcoming work, or if you need assistance, including if you have any special needs or disabilities that require special accommodations, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.
For after-work hours emergencies, call the Department of Public Works hotline at 617-349-4800.
Notice: River Street Infrastructure and Streetscape Project - Construction Update:
We would like to provide this update on what construction work is expected over the next several weeks for the River Street project, including associated neighborhood streets.
Our Contractor P. Gioioso & Sons (PGS) expects to have two crews working as follows. Please note that dates are approximate, and are subject to change due to weather conditions, or unforeseen underground conditions which could impact work progress. Note that there will be no work on the President's Day holiday of February 20.
RIVER STREET
• Excavation of exploratory test pits will continue on River Street between Jay Street and Franklin Street over the next two weeks.
• In early March, the test pit crew is expected to shift to River Street between Laurel Street and Jay Street, and then to upper River Street between Franklin Street and Mass. Ave.
ROCKWELL STREET
• Drainage installation on Rockwell Street began the week of February 13 and should conclude during the week of February 20.
• Work includes two new mid-block catch basins associated with proposed tree bump-outs; and two new catch basins at the Pleasant Street end associated with the proposed raised crosswalk at that location.
LAUREL STREET
• Drainage installation on Laurel Street is expected to begin the week of February 20, and is expected to take 3-5 working days to complete.
• Work includes two new catch basins at each end of the street, associated with the proposed raised crosswalks at those locations.
KELLY ROAD
• Drainage installation on Kelly Road (Pleasant to Magazine) is expected to begin the week of February 27, and is expected to take 3-5 working days to complete.
• Work includes a new mid-block catch basin and drain manhole associated with an accessible sidewalk bump-out.
FAIRMONT STREET
• Drainage installation on Fairmont Street is expected to resume the week of February 27, and is expected to take 3-4 working days to complete.
FAIRMONT AVENUE
• Water main installation on Fairmont Ave is expected to begin the week of March 6.
• Further updates will be provided on this work.
What should I expect during this work?
• Work hours will be Monday-Friday, 7 AM – 4 PM.
• There will be noise from the operations, as the use of heavy equipment is involved.
• “No Parking” signs will be posted 48-hours in advance. Please be sure to check dates and times.
• Vehicle traffic and accessible pedestrian access will be maintained at all times. However, due to the narrowness of some of the streets, vehicle access may be restricted to one end of a street, or may need to be "wrong-way" at certain times. Drivers should pay careful attention to posted signs and detours.
• Emergency vehicles and city services such as trash collection will have access at all times.
How can I stay informed about this Project?
Please visit: www.cambridgema.gov/Riverstreet
Notices such as this one will be posted at that site, and you will also be able to sign-up to have notices and other updates automatically emailed to you.
For more information:
If you have any questions about this upcoming work, or if you need assistance, including if you have any special needs or disabilities that require special accommodations, please contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.
For after-work hours emergencies, call the Department of Public Works hotline at 617-349-4800.
Notice: Fairmont Ave Virtual Neighborhood Meeting
Dear Fairmont Avenue Neighbor:
We invite you to a virtual neighborhood meeting to see and hear updates on the redesign and reconstruction of Fairmont Avenue.
The meeting can be accessed through this link:
• https://cambridgema.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpc-GvqTkvHtOwHDt8Hcb2ImeesJYflNEK
• You can also email kkelleher@cambridgema.gov and we will email you the link
• Dial in: 929 436 2866
• Meeting ID: 824 4877 2547
Fairmont Avenue is being reconstructed as part of the River Street project. The City held community meetings in November 2020, and October 2021, at which we provided project background, and introduced two different street design concepts. Each concept showed what would be required to meet current pedestrian accessibility standards, which are not met today due to Fairmont Avenue's narrow sidewalks, large trees, utility poles and other obstructions.
At the second community meeting, and in other discussions with neighbors, there was enthusiasm for the innovative "Shared Street" concept, which would result in a slow-speed neighborhood street, where pedestrians have clear priority over vehicular traffic. This concept also provides more opportunities for trees and landscaping, and less impact on parking, as compared to a more "Conventional" design option.
We are now excited to share the final design concept with you, and get your input on some final details. Utility construction has begun on your street and will continue through the Spring. We expect that surface street construction would begin in late Summer or early Fall 2023, pause over the winter, and finish in the Spring of 2024.
Below you will see a drawing showing key features of the proposed Fairmont Ave shared street design. We will go through this plan in more detail at the meeting.
Also, below, you will see a photo-rendering of a similar project which is proposed elsewhere in the City. While this rendering does not depict Fairmont Avenue itself, it is helpful in illustrating how a shared street of similar scale looks, feels, and functions.
For More Information
We look forward to seeing you on February 13. For more information about this meeting or the project itself, please contact Kristen Kelleher, Community Relations Manager, at kkelleher@cambridgema.gov / 617.349.4825.
Notice: River Street Reconstruction Project Construction Open House Thursday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 8, 2022
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Amigos School – Gymnasium
15 Upton Street
Accessible entrance off Pleasant Place
Review the final design for the project, learn about the construction schedule, and meet the project staff.
Refreshments will be provided!
Come Learn More!
For more information about the project, visit www.cambridgema.gov/RiverStreet
Questions or comments? Contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Community Relations Manager at (617) 349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.
The project includes River Street, Carl Barron Plaza, Blackstone Street, Fairmont Ave, Fairmont St, Rockwell St, Laurel St, Kelly Rd and portions of Magazine St and Green St.
The City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The City will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative format and responsible modifications in policies and procedures to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request given 48-hour notice.
Where can I learn about the history, goals, and design of the project? What is happening with the "old" project website?
The community engagement, planning, and design of the project began in January 2019 with the first meeting of the Project Working Group. All of the Working Group and Community Meeting presentations, design concepts, technical studies, and other information developed over the 3+ year planning and design phase may be found at:
https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Transportation/riverstreetreconstruction
That design phase website will remain "live" for the duration of the construction phase but will no longer be updated. All "new" information moving forward will be found at this Construction website.
Are there shortcuts directly to the final design concepts and detailed engineering plans?
Yes - please see the following:
• Final concept for River Street Corridor:
• Final concept for Carl Barron Plaza:
• Final concept for Tubman Square (River/Pleasant/Kinnaird triangle):
• Detailed final engineering plans and specifications*:
*Note: The detailed final design plans may vary slightly from the earlier concepts
What is the project schedule? When will construction occur in front of my house/business/other place I’m interested in?
The River Street project is a complex undertaking, involving reconstruction of both subsurface utilities and surface infrastructure. All of this work must be performed in short segments, in order to keep the street operational and provide access to abutters at all times. The project will begin in November 2022 with excavation of test pits throughout the project area to confirm utility locations. The project is scheduled to conclude in the Fall of 2025 with final paving and landscaping.
Our Contractor, P. Gioioso & Sons, is working on a detailed schedule and work plan for how the project will unfold over its 3-year duration. Once the City reviews and approves this Work Plan, we will communicate information out to the public in several ways:
- Public Meeting: We anticipate having a public meeting towards the end of 2022 to re-familiarize the community with the design; introduce key City and Contractor staff; and give a general overview of the expected sequence and schedule.
- Project Updates: From time to time DPW will produce Project Updates, which will be posted on this website, and emailed to those on the project contact list. We will also provide hard-copies to local businesses and residents as appropriate or requested. The Project Updates will summarize recent progress and preview construction activities which are projected over the next several months. They may also include items of general interest related to the Project.
- Construction Notices are our most detailed form of communication. The Notices are used to alert the community and/or specific abutters of imminent construction activities, typically a week or two ahead. The Notices contain specific information on impacts to roadways, bike lanes, crosswalks, sidewalks, and parking. Notices will be posted on this website, emailed to the project contact list, and are usually hand-delivered to the abutters who are directly impacted by upcoming work. Notices may also be posted at prominent locations in the neighborhood.
Will there be work on my private property? How can I coordinate my own planned property work with the work of this project?
Abutting property owners will be contacted individually if the work of this project requires entry onto private property. Typical reasons for this may include the following:
- You have a lead or other non-copper water service to your building. If this is the case, the City, at no cost to you, will replace the service between your property and the City water main in the street.
- Your building's sewer or drain pipe is connected to the "wrong" pipe in the street. This is not uncommon in an old City such as Cambridge. We can typically correct this condition without entering onto private property, but in some cases, work within the property may be required.
- We need to slightly re-grade your walkway or driveway to "tie-in" to the reconstructed City sidewalk; or we needed to disturb your walk/landscaping/retaining wall in order to do our work. This corrective work will be performed at no cost to you, and we are committed to restoring all private property to its pre-existing condition, if not better.
In some cases, you may be planning a project of your own which involves replacing public or private utility services which connect your property to the main pipes or conduits in the street or sidewalk. If so, you should contact us with the details, so that we can ensure the work is properly coordinated. It's likely you will be able to avoid, or reduce, the fees and/or restoration requirements which the City typically charges to repair streets and sidewalks which are disturbed by private construction.
Will there be any more community meetings?
As noted above, we are planning on an initial construction meeting this fall - so please watch this space for more details, or better yet, sign up for Project emails (see below). We may also hold additional general or localized abutter meetings from time to time. In addition, we expect to hold a series of informal "coffee talks" at regular intervals throughout the project duration. These are drop-in sessions where project staff are available for several hours to answer questions and hear concerns from neighbors, businesses, and others. We will try to vary the time-of-day and locations of these sessions, to make them convenient for as many people as possible.
How will local business be supported?
The City recognizes that major construction is disruptive to businesses in a number of ways, and we are committed to supporting existing businesses along the project corridor throughout the construction phase. DPW, as well as the City's Community Development Department will maintain clear communication and strive to minimize impacts to businesses. We are in the midst of developing detailed mitigation strategies, and more information will be coming in the near future.
Examples of business support activities on past projects in the City, have included "Shop Local" Customer Loyalty Programs; temporary aesthetic improvements such as plantings and lighting; installation of wayfinding and promotional signage; and temporary changes to area parking and loading regulations.
How can I stay informed?
The best way to stay updated on the project is to sign up for Project emails. If you do so, you will receive all Meeting Notices, Project Updates, and Construction Notices.
If you have already signed up and have been receiving information throughout the design phase, you don't need to do anything and you will now receive construction information.
If you need to sign up, or are not sure if you have already, please click here.
The River Street project is a complex undertaking, involving reconstruction of both subsurface utilities and surface infrastructure. All of this work must be performed in short segments, in order to keep the street operational and provide access to abutters at all times. The project will begin in November 2022 with excavation of test pits throughout the project area to confirm utility locations. The project is scheduled to conclude in the Fall of 2025 with final paving and landscaping.
Our Contractor, P. Gioioso & Sons, is working on a detailed schedule and work plan for how the project will unfold over its 3-year duration.