Extended Mt. Auburn Street and Sparks Street Closures and Detours Starting Saturday, July 19 in City of Cambridge Due to Building Structural Issues

Due to structural concerns at 221 Mount Auburn Street (Riverview Condominium Building), the City of Cambridge will close segments of Mount Auburn Street and Sparks Street starting Saturday, July 19. Multiple detours and traffic changes will be in place to maintain the closure, which may last through the end of 2025.

The streets and sidewalks immediately surrounding 221 Mt. Auburn Street, at the corner of Mt. Auburn Street and Sparks Street, will be closed to all traffic including vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Access will be maintained for direct abutters.

Find all detours and road closures at this link.

The following road segments will be closed to all through traffic:

• Sparks Street between Brattle Street and Mt. Auburn Street
• Mt. Auburn Street between Lowell Street and Willard Street

Local Access Detours:

• Mt. Auburn Street Westbound Detour from Harvard Square towards Belmont/Watertown on Mt. Auburn Street: Vehicles will turn right onto Willard Street, left onto Brattle Street, left onto Channing Street, and right back onto Mt. Auburn Street. Vehicles with a final destination outside the immediate area can continue straight on Brattle Street, past Fresh Pond Parkway to Mt. Auburn Street.
• Mt. Auburn Street Eastbound Detour from the west heading towards Harvard Square on Mt. Auburn Street: Vehicles will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Brattle Street, right on Hawthorn Street and then left back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
• Sparks Street Southbound Detour: Vehicles heading south on Sparks Street from Huron Avenue will travel to Brattle Street and turn left or right based on their final destination.

MBTA Buses (71 & 73) Detours:

• Westbound Detour: Buses heading west on Mt. Auburn from Harvard Square towards Belmont and Watertown will turn right onto Willard Street, left onto Brattle Street, left onto Channing Street, and right back onto Mt. Auburn Street.
• Eastbound Detour: Buses heading east on Mt. Auburn Street from Watertown and Belmont will turn left on Lowell Street, right on Brattle Street, right on Hawthorn Street and the left back onto Mt. Auburn Street.

Through Truck Route:

• Westbound: From Mass Ave Southbound, turn right onto Garden Street, bear left onto Concord Ave, turn left on Huron Ave, left on Aberdeen Ave and right onto Mt. Auburn.
• Eastbound: From Mt. Auburn Street Eastbound, turn left on Aberdeen Ave, right on Huron Ave, right on Concord Ave, bear right on Garden Street, right on Mass Ave, bear right on Brattle Street and left onto Mt. Auburn Street.

Memorial Drive:

• The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will close the right westbound lane between Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road to traffic starting on Saturday, July 19.
• Both eastbound lanes and the left westbound lane of this segment of Memorial Drive will remain open to traffic.
• Traffic, cyclist, and pedestrian patterns will be clearly marked. Pedestrians and cyclists are encouraged to use the Paul Dudley White Bike Path to travel in this area and to use the crossings at Hawthorn Street and Gerrys Landing Road.  

Background Information

In 2023, structural deficiencies were identified in the nine-story building at 221 Mt. Auburn Street, the Riverview Condominiums. During exploratory work for roof and drainage repairs, engineers discovered that the building was not built as originally designed.

All residents moved out of the building at the end of 2024. After evaluating various repair options, the Condo Association concluded that fixing the building is not feasible, and it will need to be taken down. The City is working closely with the Condo Association on reviewing the situation and planning for demolition of the nine-story building.

Abutter Information and Contact

Access to homes inside the closure area will be maintained for residents. The City has reached out directly to residents within the closure area and has met with many local residents. Local abutters are encouraged to contact the City to set up a meeting.

Those looking for more information can contact Kristen Kelleher, Cambridge Department of Public Works Community Relations Manager, at 617-349-4825 or kkelleher@cambridgema.gov.

Learn more about 221 Mount Auburn Street and sign up for email notifications to receive important updates and demolition progress at www.cambridgema.gov/221mtauburnst.