Building Resilience Below the Surface: The Port Project Takes Shape

A deep investment in The Port neighborhood is turning lessons from the past into a blueprint for a more resilient future.

In Cambridge’s Port neighborhood, change is happening—mostly underground. Beneath familiar streets and sidewalks, the City has been undertaking one of its most ambitious infrastructure improvement efforts to date: The Port Infrastructure Project. This multi-year initiative has and will protect homes, streets, and public spaces from the growing threat of flooding, while creating a greener, more connected, and more accessible neighborhood above ground.

Facing the Challenge of a Changing Climate

The Port has long been one of Cambridge’s neighborhoods most vulnerable to flooding. With many buildings at low elevation, even moderate storms historically caused water to collect in basements and on streets. Climate change has only amplified those challenges, bringing more frequent and intense rainfall to the region.

“The data shows what residents have long known—The Port has felt the impact of flooding firsthand,” said Jerry Friedman, Supervising Engineer, Cambridge Public Works. “Our investment here is about more than pipes and pavement. It’s about building resilience and protecting a community that’s at the heart of Cambridge.”

A Major City Investment in Neighborhood Resilience

Over the course of this project, which started with a formal design and community process in 2015, Cambridge will invest more than $35 million in The Port for an integrated package of improvements: new water, sewer, and drainage systems; reconstructed streets and sidewalks; and expanded tree canopy and open space.

At the center of this work are an underground stormwater storage tank and sanitary storage tank and pump station.

The stormwater storage tank—located beneath Parking Lot 6 on Bishop Allen Drive—was completed in 2021. It can hold up to 390,000 gallons of stormwater, supported by a new pump station and utility tunnel that connects beneath the MBTA Red Line to the Massachusetts Avenue storm drain. The second tank will be installed in a future phase in the 2030s adjacent to Windsor Street.

More Than Infrastructure: Streets, Parks, and Everyday Access

Beyond stormwater management, The Port Project is an opportunity to reinvest in the neighborhood. Streets and sidewalks along Bishop Allen Drive, Columbia Street, Cherry Street, Washington Street, Eaton Street, and Pine Street have been and will be rebuilt for greater accessibility, safety, and comfort.

Design updates include shared streets that give pedestrians priority, create space for trees and plantings, and add green space where traditional curbs once stood. The City has also expanded electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in the area, advancing Cambridge’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

A Renewed Park for a Renewed Neighborhood

Clement G. Morgan Park and the Anthony Paolillo Tot Lot—a vital community space in The Port—is also being reimagined. The redesign preserves mature trees and lilac bushes while introducing new spaces shaped by resident feedback. The well-used basketball court is being reconstructed to include additional spectator space and new lighting and surfacing. Entirely new features include a "teen space/bouldering area" as well as a small dog run.

“Residents asked us to make sure improvements reflected how people really use the park,” said Kathy Watkins, Deputy City Manager, City of Cambridge “This redesign keeps what’s loved, enhances what’s needed, and prepares the park for the future.”

A Shared Commitment to the Future

From gas main replacements to water line upgrades, nearly every aspect of The Port’s infrastructure is being renewed—some of it for the first time in a century. The collaboration between City departments, Eversource, and the community underscores Cambridge’s long-term commitment to sustainability, equity, and access.

When complete in the early 2030s, the robust project will leave behind more than new pipes and pavement. It will deliver peace of mind—knowing that The Port is better prepared for the storms ahead, and that the City continues to invest deeply in the well-being of every neighborhood.