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Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Thorndike Street (Fulkerson St. to Third St.) Reconstruction Project includes sidewalk and roadway work as well as water main replacement.

This project is complete. There will be no more updates to this page.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Week of 6/3/2019: Crews will be pouring concrete sidewalks between Sixth St. and Eighth St. 


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Beginning the week of April 29th, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will begin sidewalk replacement on Thorndike Street.  This work includes replacing concrete sidewalk still under warranty with the contractor but showing signs of spalling. Repairs are expected to last approximately 3-4 weeks, weather permitting.

What to Expect During Construction:

  • General work hours will be 7am – 4pm, Monday – Friday.
  • If the project requires a street closure, you will be notified in advance.
  • “No Parking” signs will be posted at least 48 hours in advance of construction; please be sure to check posted signs for exact dates and times.
  • When work occurs directly in front of driveways or entryways, access may be limited. The contractor will work with residents and businesses directly to limit disruptions to the greatest extent possible.
  • City services will continue uninterrupted and emergency vehicles will maintain access at all times.

Information & Assistance:

If you have any questions regarding construction, please contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870 / kriley@cambridgema.gov or Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer, at 617.349.9351 / mmiguel@cambridgema.gov.

Thank you in advance for your patience during this construction.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Intersection work will continue through 12/21.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

The City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will begin installing the raised intersection at Third St. and Thorndike St. this week. This work will require the closure of Third St. between Hurley St. and Cambridge St. while the work is taking place. Traffic will be detoured to Second St. This work is expected to take two weeks.

What to Expect During Construction

  • Work hours will be 7 AM to 5 PM.
  • Detours will be in place. Please pay careful attention to signs and detail officers.
  • “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times. 
  • Emergency vehicles and abutters will have access at all times. 

Information & Assistance:

Questions regarding this project?  Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer, at 617-349-9351. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Due to unforeseen circumstances related to today's weather, the final paving of Thorndike St. has been postponed again. Final paving will now take place on Monday, November 5th. 


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Please note, the final paving of Thorndike St. has been postponed until Thursday, November 1st. 


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

The City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will be prepping and paving Thorndike on Tuesday, October 30th.

This work is expected to take approximately 1 day to complete, weather permitting. In the event that crews cannot complete the job in 1 day, they will finish the job on Thursday, November 1st. No paving work will be done on Wednesday, October 31st in the interest of pedestrian safety during Halloween activities.

Vehicle access in and out of properties will be restricted during work hours while crews perform the paving.  Please plan vehicle trips accordingly.

Any additional restoration items related to the project, including back of sidewalk work and pavement markings, will be completed by the contractor in the coming weeks before the end of construction.

What to Expect during Paving

  • Work hours will be 7 AM to 5 PM.
  • Vehicle access in and out of properties will be restricted. Please plan vehicle and parking trips accordingly.
  • “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times. 
  • Emergency vehicles will have access at all times. 

Information & Assistance:

Questions regarding this project?  Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer, at 617-349-9351. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Week of 10/9- Crews will be working on a raised intersections at Sciarappa and Eighth St. Final paving of this street is scheduled for the last week in October, weather permitting.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Week of 9/24- Crews will be working on brick sidewalks at Sciarappa. Crews are also working on a bump out at Eighth St. 


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project

Week of 8/27-8/31- Sidewalk work on the even side between Fifth and Third.


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project
Curb/sidewalk work to resume on or about Tuesday, May 29

In association with the Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project, the City’s Contractor, Newport Construction., will resume sidewalk reconstruction on Thorndike St. (between Fulkerson St. and Third St.) on or about Tuesday, May 29.

Crews will begin removing and replacing curbs and sidewalks on Thorndike Street between Third St. and Sciarappa St. before continuing, block by block, in the direction of Fulkerson St.

This work is expected to take approximately 4 weeks per block to complete.

During this work, sidewalk detours for pedestrians will be in place. “No Parking” signs will also be present and changing frequently, so please check all posted signs.

Access in and out of properties will be maintained but could be restricted at times.

What to Expect During Construction:
• General work hours will be 7am – 4pm, Monday-Friday.
• Please check posted No Parking signs.
• Please follow detour signs.
• Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles and City services.

For Information and Assistance During Construction:

Questions regarding this project? Contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4825/ driviello@cambridgema.gov or Brian McLane, Engineer, at 857-829-8597. For more information about the project and to sign up for the project email list, visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks/ThorndikeSt. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.


April 2018

Sidewalk work is anticipated to start in late April. Residents are reminded to submit their material selection form should they want to make changes to their sidewalk material. Sidewalk work will take 3-4 months to complete once the work begins. 


Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project
Locations identified for potential addition of street trees during project


The Department of Public Works has evaluated placing additional street trees on Thorndike Street as part of the ongoing reconstruction project.

The City Arborist walked Thorndike Street recently and we have placed stickers on the sidewalk noting possible locations for new plantings.

Tree Sticker

We ask that residents observe these stickers and proposed locations and provide feedback to Public Works about whether they wish for a street tree to be placed at that location.

Please contact our Supervising Engineer and City Arborist by April 1, 2018 with any questions, comments, or concerns about the proposed locations:

• Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer – mmiguel@cambridgema.gov
• David Lefcourt, City Arborist – dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov

As a reminder, the addition of street trees is part of this project and plantings will take place at the end of the project during either the fall or spring planting season.

Additional Information:
For more information about the Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project, or to sign up to receive project updates, please visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks/ThorndikeSt .


February 2018:

Street and sidewalk construction to resume Spring 2018. More information will become available once the contractor releases a construction schedule.


Thorndike St Reconstruction Project

Full-depth roadway reconstruction to begin week of August 7, 2017

In association with the Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project, the City’s Contractor, Newport Construction., will begin to reconstruct the roadway on Thorndike St. (between Fulkerson St. and Third St.) during the week of August 7th. This work is anticipated to last for approximately 8 weeks, weather permitting.

To ensure that the roadway conditions will be favorable for many years to come, crews will engage in full-depth reconstruction. At the end of each day, the contractor will clean the work site to allow for motorists to utilize the roadway. We kindly ask that motorists drive through the construction zone slowly outside of general working hours. Final roadway paving will be scheduled and announced via an additional notice in the coming weeks.

Work will begin on Thorndike St. from Fulkerson St toward Third St. The contractor plans to complete 1-2 blocks of full-depth excavation, then perform base paving in that area before moving on to the next 1-2 block section. This pattern will continue down Thorndike St. to Third St.

Detours will be in place during work hours. Please look for Detour signs, Road Closed signs, and No Parking signs as they will be changing frequently during the work.

What to Expect During Construction:
• General work hours 7am-4pm, Monday through Friday.
• Please check posted No Parking signs.
• Please follow Detour signs and look for Road Closed and No Parking signs.
• During this work, the roadway will be lower, making the curbs higher for parked cars. Please use caution when opening car doors as to not damage them on the curbs.
• Access will be maintained for abutters whenever possible. During work hours, abutters will be allowed to travel the wrong way down one way streets in order to access their property. Caution should be used. After work hours, roadways will reopen for all in their normal travel directions.
• Access will be maintained for City services and emergency vehicles.

For Information and Assistance During Construction:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4825/ driviello@cambridgema.gov or Brian McLane, Engineer, at 857-829-8597. For more information about the project and to sign up for the project email list, visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks/ThorndikeSt. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.


May 2017

Water main and water services work is continuing on Thorndike St.

Crews are currently working between 5th and 4th streets.


Thorndike St Reconstruction Project - January 12, 2017
Water main replacement work to begin on or about January 17, 2017

As part of the Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project scheduled for spring 2017, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, and the Cambridge Water Department will begin work installing a new water main on Thorndike Street (between Fulkerson and Third streets) on or about the week of January 16, 2017.

This first phase of utility work is expected to last for approximately 8 weeks, weather permitting, and general work hours will be 7am-4pm, Monday-Friday. “No Parking” signs will be posted, so please be sure to check posted signs to avoid being ticketed/towed. The roadway and sidewalk reconstruction is scheduled to occur beginning this summer and last approximately 3-4 months.

The Thorndike Street Reconstruction Project is part of the City’s 5-Year Plan for Street and Sidewalks and will include paving, sidewalk work, and pedestrian ramp installations between Fulkerson and Third streets. The existing raised crossing at the intersection of Third and Thorndike streets will be reconstructed as well.

We invite you to attend a community meeting with your neighbors and members of the Department of Public Works on Wednesday, February 1st from 6-7:30pm in the Kennedy Longfellow School Cafeteria located at 158 Spring St. to learn more about this project, its scope, and anticipated schedule. At the meeting we will also be discussing:
  • Back of Sidewalk Tree Planting Program
    • The term “Back of Sidewalk" refers to the edge of the sidewalk where public way meets private properties. In the case of this program, the City will plant trees along the back of sidewalk, (up to 20 feet off the public way) on private property of interested, eligible owners.
  • Sidewalk material options
    • It is the City’s policy to replace existing sidewalks with the same material (concrete with concrete, brick with wire cut brick). However, during this project, property owners will have the option of changing their sidewalk material for a fee if they choose. More information will be made available to residents.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4825/ driviello@cambridgema.gov or the Department of Public Works at 617-349-4800. For more information about the project and to sign up for the project email list, visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks/ThorndikeSt. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.

Sidewalk work will begin at the end of April with work continuing through the summer. Check the “Updates” tab for future schedule information and updates.


Work to resume in Spring 2018. More information will come once the contractor releases a construction schedule. 

Work began in winter 2016/2017 and is expected to continue into spring and summer. Check the “Updates” tab for future schedule information and updates.


Thorndike Street (Fulkerson St. to Third St.) Reconstruction Project includes sidewalk and roadway work as well as water main replacement.

The goal, in addition to the resurfacing of the roadways, is to improve conditions within the public right-of-way for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists and those with disabilities. The design shall incorporate sidewalks, curb-cuts, curb extensions and crosswalks in compliance with the MassDOT, formerly Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), Guidelines for Wheelchair Road and Pedestrian Access and the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board Regulations. Also, the design may include traffic calming tools and exclusive pedestrian and/or bicycle facilities.


Brian McLane

Project Manager

Phone: 617-349-4824

Email: bmclane@cambridgema.gov



Kate Riley

Project Administrator- Community Relations

Phone: 617-349-4870

Email: kriley@cambridgema.gov

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Page was last modified on 7/9/2024 4:43 PM
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