Aberdeen Avenue Safety Improvement Project

On November 11, 2025, we sent an update about installation.

Click here to view the update sent to the project mailing list.

Flex-Post Installation will occur Friday, October 24th. Work hours are 7 AM - 3 PM, This is subject to change due to weather and/or crew availability.

We expect the roadway to remain open to traffic and parking to remain in place. Minor traffic delays may occur.

 

Click here to view the update sent to the project mailing list.

• Major pavement marking work was completed last night (September 29). Paper signs for additional overnight parking restrictions have been removed.
• Traffic signal work at both ends of Aberdeen Ave will take place starting this Friday (October 3). Temporary wayfinding signs for people on bikes are in place.
  • Work at the Huron Ave end involves adding bicycle signals and phasing to provide better access into and out of the median-running bike lanes, connecting to the two-way bike lane on Huron Ave.
  • Work at the Aberdeen Ave end increases the amount of green time for Aberdeen Ave southbound each cycle and increases the amount of green time for westbound rights from Mt Auburn St onto northbound Aberdeen Ave.
• Flex post installation in the buffers will take place no sooner than two weeks from now. If you reached out to us about the placement of the posts, we will follow up with you before they go in.
• Bike lane symbols, green paint, and other finishing touches will occur over the next few weeks. No parking impacts are expected.

Click here to view the update sent to the project mailing list.

• Pavement Marking Installation - Pavement marking work was originally scheduled for this week. However, due to weather conditions, installation may be delayed to next week. If delayed, the work is expected to begin overnight starting the week of Monday, September 29. The roadway will remain open to traffic during this work.
• Temporary Overnight Parking Restrictions - During pavement marking installation next week, parking on Aberdeen Ave will be restricted on both sides. Keep an eye out for posted signs, which will be posted 48 hours in advance of the work. Temporary no parking signs will be updated with the new dates as they are available. Parking restrictions will be overnight only, beginning at approximately 7PM.This will allow for the roadway to remain open to traffic while crews are working.
• Flex-Post Installation - Installation of flex-posts will occur in October or Early November. Before installation, we will ask residents to provide feedback on the proposed locations, which will be marked out on the street in paint.

Click here to view the update sent to the project mailing list.

Click here to view the update regarding a one-week delay due to weather.

The City expects to begin paving on Aberdeen starting the week of July 28, 2025. This may require temporary parking restrictions and detours, which will be posted. Please pay close attention to street signs.

Click here to view the update to the project mailing list.

We previously shared that installation would take place in Spring or Summer, following roadway paving. However, the paving schedule has changed.

Updated Paving Timeline

Roadway paving is now expected to occur in late Summer or Fall 2025. Please note: This schedule is subject to change based on construction and weather conditions.

Impact on Installation

Installation will be delayed until paving has finished. We’ll continue to share updates on the timeline.

Click here to view the update to the project mailing list.

Beginning the week of May 5, weather permitting, the City’s contractor, E J Paving, will be performing roadway milling (grinding) and paving operations to enhance the road conditions on several sections of street around the City. The roadway grinding operation at each location is expected take one day followed by paving of the roadway the following week (weather permitting).

 

What to Expect During Construction: On street-parking spaces will be impacted during this work. Paper signs will indicate the hours and locations where parking is not allowed. These signs will be posted at least 24 hours before restrictions are in effect. Detours will be in effect while work is underway (between 7:00 a.m. and 6 p.m.). Please pay careful attention to signs and directions from detail officers. As the street is milled, the surface will be rough, with raised manhole covers. The roadway will be lower, making the curbs higher for parked cars. Please use caution when opening car doors, so they aren't damaged on curbs. Motorcycles and bicycles use caution when traveling on milled surface. If your driveaway is within the limits of new paving, please plan trips accordingly. Vehicle access in and out of properties will be restricted during the paving operation. Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles and City services. Newly paved areas will be reopened to users as conditions allow, typically within a few hours of completion.

Information & Assistance: If you have any questions about the paving operations or need assistance, including any special needs or disabilities that require a special accommodation, Contact Kristen Kelleher, Community Relations Manager, at 617-349-4825/kkelleher@cambridgema.gov. In case of an emergency after hours, please call the 24-Hour line at 617-349-4800.
View DPW News Item

 

Beginning the week of March 24th, the city's contractor De Roma & Sons, will work on the pedestrian crossing island at Aberdeen Ave at Mt Auburn St. This will replace the existing flush traffic apron, which is no longer needed. People crossing will have a safer and wider area to stand between the two sides of Aberdeen Ave. A full construction plan for this work can be found under "Documents" below.

Installation of Flex-Posts and Curb Work Complete

We've completed the installation of flex-posts, precast curbs and the bicycle jughandle at Homer Ave. This completes the installation of the bicycle improvements on Mt Auburn St.

Modifications to Signal Timing at Homer Ave

City staff continue to monitor traffic and safety conditions in the project area. We are planning adjustments to signal timing at Mt Auburn St and Homer Ave. These adjustments will:

• Provide additional time in the light cycle for Mt Auburn St traffic.
• Remove pedestrian recall during the evening. In the evening, pedestrians will need to push the button to receive a green light. The pedestrian signal will continue to come up automatically during the morning when pedestrian volumes are highest. 

Installation of Flex-Posts and Precast Curbs

Beginning next week, we will install flex-posts and precast curbs. Flex-post installation will occur first, followed by precast curbs at a later date. This work will take place during the day and will require temporary closure of the bike lane.

This work is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th, with additional installation dates to follow as needed.

Installation of Red and Green Pavement Markings

New lane lines and traffic pattern changes are in effect.

We still need to install green bike lane markings and red bus lane markings. Some of this work will require temporary lane and driveway closures. Work will occur overnight, beginning at 8 p.m. to minimize impacts.

Making Adjustments

With the recent changes, we are continuously monitoring traffic patterns and making adjustments, as needed.

We recently adjusted signal timing at Homer Ave to allow more vehicles to progress through the intersection. Additional improvements are planned for the coming weeks. These improvements are being made on an ongoing basis.

What to Expect:

• Temporary closure of the bike lane to install flex-posts and precast curbs.
• Overnight pavement marking work with occasional lane and driveway closures.
• Daytime installation of signage and signal modifications, as needed.

 

Pavement Marking Installation Begins Tuesday, April 23

Work will occur overnight, beginning at 8 p.m., and will last approximately two to three nights. Most major line markings will be completed during this time, including turn-only lanes and bike lane markings.

Additional work will take place at later dates for crews to install red and green bus and bicycle markings. Some of this work will take place during daytime hours.

No parking impacts or traffic detours are expected, but temporary lane closures may occur. Slow down for work crews and keep an eye out for posted signage when installation is underway.

What to expect:

• New traffic pattern for all travel modes.
• Installation of additional signage and signal work to complement new road markings.
• Crews working in the area during both the daytime and overnight hours. Exercise caution when driving through work zones.

Traffic Signal Work Complete

During the Months of February and March, the City's traffic signal contractor, Dagle Electrical Construction, installed new traffic signal equipment on Mt Auburn St. This included:

• Overhead signals at Aberdeen Ave and Mt Auburn St. The new signal includes a dedicated left turn signal onto Aberdeen Ave, improving clarity and driver compliance with existing turning regulations.
• Additional signals, including bike signals, that are needed for the separated bike lane. These signals are installed but not yet in operation.

Separated Bike Lane Installation Coming Soon

This Spring, we will install pavement markings and flex-posts for the project. Pavement markings will be installed as shown in the design plans below. This includes installing the new bike lane and turn-only lanes that are planned for the project. We expect installation to begin soon. This work is weather dependent. We will send another update once work is scheduled.

Pavement marking line work will occur during the overnight hours, beginning at 8 p.m. and last approximately 2-3 nights. After the initial lane markings are installed, additional work will take place during the daytime hours, including red bus lane markings and sidewalk repair work.

No parking impacts or traffic detours are expected, but temporary lane closures may occur. Slow down for work crews and keep an eye out for posted signage while implementation is occurring.

Traffic Signal Installation Update

On Tuesday, November 21, the City's traffic signal contractor, Dagle Electrical Construction, installed the foundation for the new signal at intersection of Aberdeen Avenue and Mt. Auburn Street.

Next Steps: The foundation will require two to three weeks for the concrete to settle. Once the concrete foundation settles, we will install the new signal arm. We expect this to occur this December. At that time, we will switch traffic operations over to the new signal. We will send out another update before this work occurs.

Sidewalk Impacts

Underground utility conflicts required us to place the foundation of the signal in the path of the existing sidewalk. Crews are now installing a temporary asphalt sidewalk around the foundation. We expect work on the temporary sidewalk to finish today (Wednesday, November 22). Unforeseen circumstances may require some work to finish the week of November 27.

Next spring (2024), the City will replace the temporary asphalt sidewalk with a permanent concrete sidewalk at this location. Over the winter, the City will coordinate with the owners of above-ground utilities to create room for a wider sidewalk. The new sidewalk will span the width between the traffic signal foundation and the curb.

Project Expected to Finish Spring 2024

We expect that once the new signal is operational, it will be too cold to complete the remainder of the project this winter. New pavement markings to extend the separated bike lane and make other changes to the layout of the street will occur in the spring of 2024.

Beginning the week of Monday, November 6, the City's traffic signal contractor, Dagle Electrical Construction, will begin installing the foundation of a signal mast arm at the intersection of Aberdeen Avenue and Mt. Auburn Street.

• Where: The work will take place on the south side of Mt. Auburn Street opposite Aberdeen Avenue.
• When: Work will take place one to two days next week between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• What will happen: The contractor will excavate the ground and pour new concrete. Crews will work on Mt. Auburn Street and there will be daytime lane closures. No interruption to signal operations is anticipated at this time. 
• Next steps: Once built, the foundation will require two to three weeks for the concrete to cure. Once the concrete foundation cures, we will install the new signal mast arm. We expect this to occur in late November/early December. At that time, we will switch traffic over to the new signal.

Project Expected to Finish Spring 2024

At this time, we expect that once the new signal is operational, it will be too cold to complete the remainder of the project this fall. New pavement markings to extend the two-way separated bike lane and make other changes to the layout of the street will most likely occur in the spring of 2024.

We hosted an In-Person Open House for the Aberdeen Avenue Safety Improvement Project on Tuesday, August 19, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Story Chapel, 580 Mt. Auburn St.

This Open House provided general project information in a drop-in format.

Meeting Materials

• Open House Boards

On Tuesday, September 24, 2024, we held a virtual community meeting over Zoom.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting slides
• Meeting recording
• Meeting transcript

Next Steps

• Curb on sidewalk work on Aberdeen Ave in the fall of 2024
• Implementation of new markings and separated bike lanes on Aberdeen Ave spring of 2025

Key Takeaways

• Expect additional changes on Aberdeen Ave beginning spring of 2025
• Separated bike lanes against the median on Aberdeen Ave
• New crossing island crossing Aberdeen Ave at Mt Auburn St

On September 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., we hosted a drop-in project open house which took place outside the Star Market at 699 Mt Auburn St.

At the Open House we:

• Discuss updated plans for the design of the project
• Provide information regarding next steps, including the schedule for project implementation
• Informally discuss the project with attendees

Click here to view materials shared at the open house.

Click here for more information.

 

On Wednesday, August 23, 2023 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., we held a virtual community meeting over Zoom.

Meeting Materials

• Meeting slides
• Meeting video recording
• Meeting transcript

City staff gave a presentation regarding project background, relevant city policies and ordinances, and shared the revised plans since the Project Open House in May. Attendees had an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.

Next Steps

• Second Project Open House on Tuesday, September 12th
• Project implementation will begin later this Fall.

Meeting Update

Please review the slides, recording, or transcript for a full overview of what was discussed during the meeting.

Revised Design Key Features

• Two-way separated bike lane on the north side of the street. This revised the previous design of a one-way bike lane on either side of the street.
• No left turn from Mt Auburn St directly into the shopping center. Left turns will access the shopping center by turning left onto Homer Ave and using the Homer Ave entrance.
• Changes to signal timing to improve crossing Mt Auburn St on foot. This includes providing more time to cross the street and reducing the wait time for a green walk signal.

On Wednesday, May 24, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Collins Branch of the Cambridge Public Library (64 Aberdeen Ave), we held an open house to discuss the Mt. Auburn Street at Aberdeen Avenue Intersection Safety Improvement Project.

During the open house, we:

• Shared plans for changes to Mt Auburn Street, between Belmont Street and Brattle Street
• Provided background on the city goals and policies, such as Vision Zero, the Cambridge Bike Plan, and other nearby city projects
• Discussed the project with residents and abutters and take feedback 

Click here to view materials shared at the open house.

This was not the only opportunity to hear about the project from City staff: we will be holding a more in-depth online community meeting later this year. Sign up for the project email list to stay informed.

Email Project Manager Andreas Wolfe at awolfe@cambridgema.gov if you have a question or comment that you would like to receive a response to. 

The Brattle Street Safety Improvement Project installed separated bike lanes and pedestrian crossing islands on Brattle Street. These safety improvements were made between spring and summer 2023. 

The separated bike lanes on Brattle Street end at the intersection of Brattle Street, Mt. Auburn Street, and Aberdeen Avenue. The Mt. Auburn Street at Aberdeen Avenue Intersection Safety Improvement Project will connect to the Brattle Street project. 

Brattle Street Safety Improvement Project Plans 

Click to enlarge this image. 

As part of the Five-Year Street and Sidewalk Reconstruction Plan, Huron Avenue is being reconstructed between Fresh Pond Place and Fresh Pond Parkway. Improvements include adding three new fully-accessible crosswalks, making improvements to existing crossings, adding a two-way separated bike lane along the Fresh Pond Reservation, and planting trees. 

A future project will add quick-build separated bike lanes to Aberdeen Avenue, connecting the Huron Avenue bike lanes to Mt. Auburn Street. The City is coordinating with utility companies to determine the best time to start this project, which will have no impacts on existing parking. 

Click here to read more about the Huron Avenue and Cushing Plaza Improvements Project. 

 

Engineering Plans

• Final Aberdeen Pavement Marking Plan (May 2025)
• Huron at Aberdeen Signal Timing Plans (August 2024)
• Final Mt Auburn St engineering plans (October 2023)
• Aberdeen Construction Island Plans (February 2025)
• Mt Auburn at Aberdeen Signal Timing Plans (June 2025)

Roll Plans

• Mt Auburn St at Aberdeen Ave Crossing Island (September 2024)
• Old Mt Auburn St project roll plan (May 2023)
• Updated Mt Auburn St project roll plan (August 2023)

Meeting Materials

• September 24, 2024 Virtual Meeting Slides
• May 24, 2023 Open House boards
• August 23, 2023 Virtual Meeting slides
• August 23, 2023 Virtual Meeting Video recording 
• August 23, 2023 Virtual Meeting transcript
• September 12, 2023 Open House boards

Traffic Counts

• Aberdeen at Aberdeen Way
• Aberdeen Ave at Mt Auburn St

This project covers all of Aberdeen Ave.

Click here for to view a larger project map.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2019, the Cambridge City Council passed the Cycling Safety Ordinance. The 2019 Ordinance requires the City to install separated bike lanes when:

• Roads are being reconstructed as part of the City’s Five-Year Plan for Streets and Sidewalks
• AND those roads are designated for greater separation in Cambridge’s 2020 Bicycle Network Vision

In 2020, the Cambridge City Council passed amendments to the ordinance, requiring the installation of about 25 miles of separated bike lanes within the next five to seven years. The ordinance requires that the City install separated bike lanes on:

• All of Massachusetts Avenue
• Garden Street, eastbound from Huron Avenue to Berkeley Street and westbound from Mason Street to Huron Avenue
• Broadway from Quincy Street to Hampshire Street
• Cambridge Street from Oak Street to Second Street
• Hampshire Street from Amory Street to Broadway
• 11.6 miles in other locations from the 2020 Bicycle Plan

Looking for information on other streets and transportation projects in the City? Three City departments collaborate on the design, community engagement, installation, and construction for street and transportation improvements: the Community Development Department, Public Works Department, and Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Department.

• Current street and transportation projects
• Cycling Safety Ordinance-related projects
• City's Five Year Plan for Streets and Sidewalk Reconstruction 
• Map of Cambridge's existing and currently-planned bike facilities, updated in December 2022. This map is for planning purposes and is subject to change - it is not a route map.