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Cambridge Park Drive Area Drainage Improvements and Stormwater Wetland Project

Drainge improvements and wetland construction in the Cambridgepark Drive area.


This project has been completed. No further updates to this project page will be made.

October 30, 2013

The construction activities for the stormwater outfall and stormwater wetland are substantially complete.  A grand opening ceremony was help on October 15, 2013 to celebrate the opening to the public of the new Stormwater Constructed Wetland and recreational features.  Please refer to the "Documents" and "Photo" tabs for more information. 

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August 22, 2013

The Contractor on Contract 12 will finish final paving of the Fitchburg Cutoff Bike Path that runs parallel to the Alewife Reservation Wetland project, once this is completed the contractor will close (August 23rd) the Cambridge Park Drive access road to the bike path. Hence bicyclists traveling from Belmont to Alewife will have to enter the path at Brighton St. (Belmont) and at Alewife T-Station Access Road (Alewife). Click here to view sketch.

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August 19, 2013

This week, crews working on the guard rails, bicycle path, and the treatment of invasive plants.

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June 11, 2013

The city’s contractor will continue to focus on surface restoration.

Surface restoration of Wheeler Street and CambridgePark Drive by the city’s contractor will continue with fine grading, asphalt base course, curb and sidewalk restoration, tree planting, and final paving. Parking on Wheeler Street and CambridgePark Drive will only be taken during the hours of construction (7AM to 4PM) on an as needed basis. No parking signs will be posted and updated.

Work in the Alewife Reservation continues with final planting, boardwalk construction, and multi-use path restoration. The city is expected to open the Alewife Reservation Wetland Basin to the public in September 2013.

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June 3, 2013

This week, the contractor will begin paving the new bike path in the wetland area. Once the bike path is complete, crews will begin to work on the construction of the amphitheater.

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May 16, 2013

The city’s contractor has completed installation of underground work for the project and will now focus on surface restoration. 

Surface restoration of Wheeler Street and CambridgePark Drive by the City’s contractor will start with fine grading, asphalt base course, curb and sidewalk restoration, tree planting, and final paving.  Parking on Wheeler Street and CambridgePark Drive will only be taken during the hours of construction (7AM to 4PM) on an as needed basis. No parking signs will be posted and updated. 

Work in the Alewife Reservation continues with final planting, boardwalk construction, and multi-use path restoration. The City is expected to open the Alewife Reservation Wetland Basin to the public in September 2013.

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April 24, 2013

Verizon completed their relocation of overhead cable from the east side of Wheeler Street to the west, including splicing, in January 2013. This allowed NSTAR Electric to remove their utility poles and the city’s contractor to continue underground utility work on Wheeler St.

The city’s contractor completed the final 300 feet of approx. 3300 feet of box culvert installation for the project. This milestone hydraulically connects Wheeler Street to the forebay of the stormwater wetland basin.

Restoration of Wheeler Street by the city’s contractor will start with an asphalt base course, curb and sidewalk restoration, tree planting, and final paving. Parking on Wheeler Street will only be taken during the hours of construction (7AM to 4PM) on an as needed basis. No parking signs will be posted and updated.

Work in the Alewife Reservation continues with boardwalk construction, and final planting.

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January 8, 2013

Underground utility work by the city's contractor will continue on Wheeler Street through the winter.  Verizon is completing the relocation of their cable from the easterly side of Wheeler Street to the westerly side and has almost completed their splicing work. NSTAR Electric will remove the utility poles from the east side of Wheeler Street when the Verizon cables are removed by Verizon. 

Work in the Alewife Reservation continues with boardwalk construction as weather permits.

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December 14, 2012

Construction on Wheeler Street will begin this Monday, December 17th. Please click on the "Documents" tab to view the official notice.

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October 2, 2012

The Oxbow is fully connected to the Little River.  Sandbags were removed from the banks allowing the river, fish and ducks to circulate through the Oxbow.  Grading and shaping continues on the wetland meadow south of the Oxbow and in the vegetated swale between the forebay and main basin.  Planting of upland shrubs and trees continues around the forebay and main basin.  Work on the boardwalk across the main basin to begin soon.

Utility work for water, AT&T, gas and electric continues near CambridgePark Drive.  Limited work has begun on Wheeler Street by Verizon to splice cables. 

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September 13, 2012

Planting of wetland plugs and forming of the wetland basin, vegetated swale and forebay is almost complete.  Forming and planting of the Oxbow is completed and soon the sand bags and silt curtains will be removed from the Oxbow inlet and outlet allowing Little River water to circulate through the Oxbow.

Excavation and grading has begun for construction of the base course for the bike path.  Grading of the upland areas between the bike path and the Oxbow and wetland basin has also begun. Planting of shrubs along the basin slopes will continue.

Work on Wheeler Street has been delayed pending the completion of work by Verizon.

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 August 13, 2012

In the reservation: excavation and grading of the main basin, planting in the wetland area, placement of footings for the boardwalk.  Work on the Belmont structure.

On Wheeler St: Verizon continues to work on their infrastructure for approximately 2 more weeks.

on CambridgePark Drive: Cambridge Water Dept responding to a leak at Smith Place on Monday, 8/13.

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July 23, 2012

In the reservation: grading of the main basin, planting in the oxbow, work on the Belmont structure.

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July 20, 2012

In the reservation: grading and planting continues in the oxbow, top soil screening on Lake St.

Verizon is pulling cable on Wheeler St.

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July 9, 2012

Members of the community are invited to join us for a public planting day at the new Alewife Wetland this Saturday, July 14.  Learn more

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June 26, 2012

In the reservation: grading and excavation continues at the oxbow, planting underway throughout the site.
On Cambridge Park Drive: box culvert complete; Verizon working on ducts
On Wheeler Street: conduit work Saturday, June 30th.  Verizon onsite at 55 Wheeler Street.
Abt property: curb work on-going
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June 21, 2012

Box culvert installation has been completed at 125 CambridgePark Drive.  Restoration of 125/150/180 Cambridge Park Drive and 55 Wheeler Street is ongoing.  Utility relocation within CambridgePark Drive continues with remaining box culvert installation to follow the raising of Verizon conduits.

Problems persist with Verizon's utility relocation on Wheeler Street.  Utility relocations and box culvert installation to begin immediately upon Verizon's cable relocation.

Grading and soil placement continues in the Alewife Reservation.  Planting has begun in the "Riparian Woodland" sections along the northern wetland edges.  The Oxbow has been dewatered and the area is being graded and soils placed.  See the "Photo" tab for images.

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May 17, 2012

Box culvert installation has been completed at 55 Wheeler Street and 150/180 CambridgePark Drive.  Restoration of these properties is underway.  Installation of the box culvert has begun at 125 CambridgePark Drive and will be followed by work within CambridgePark Drive to relocate existing utilities and installation of the box culvert and closing structure. 

Verizon will be relocating their cable from the east side of Wheeler Street to the west side of the street in preparation for the box culvert installation to occur within Wheeler Street from 55 Wheeler Street south to Concord Avenue.

Grading and soil placement continues in the Alewife Reservation for the forming of the stormwater wetland.  Footings have been completed for the boardwalk across the main basin and the overlook to the forebay area.  The forebay area is completed and the outfall headwall is installed.  Preparations are underway for the beginning of plantings.

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March 22, 2012

Box culvert installation across 55 Wheeler Street has been completed and temporary restoration of excavated areas to begin.  Night construction has ended and normal construction hours will be resumed.  Box culvert installation will begin across the parking lots at 150/180 CambridgePark Drive.

Test pits were performed along the length of Wheeler Street to determine an alignment for a new water main.

Work continues on the construction of the Belmont Crossing Structure that will allow the box culvert to pass over the MWRA interceptor pipes behind 125 CambridgePark Drive.

Forming and stabilization of the forebay to the Alewife Stormwater Wetland is 80% completed and work continues on grading of wetland and stabilizing berms around the perimeter of the future wetland.

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February 13, 2012 

Utility relocation on the 55 Wheeler Street property is substantially complete.  Box culvert installation has begun and is slightly ahead of schedule.  Box culvert installation on 55 Wheeler Street should continue through March.

Utility work and box culvert installation on Fawcett Street is substantially complete.

The Belmont Crossing Structure that will allow the box culvert to pass over the MWRA interceptor pipes behind 125 CambridgePark Drive is under construction.

Berm construction surrounding the wetland basin is substantially complete and work continues on grading areas of the forebay and oxbow.  Footings for an Oxbow overlook have been installed.  Site dewatering continues.

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December 13, 2011

A skim coat of asphalt has been applied to Wheeler Street in preparation for the relocation of existing utilities on property at 55 Wheeler Street. This skim coat of asphalt was applied to help reduce the noise from construction vehicles traveling along Wheeler Street.  Work to relocate existing utilities within the 55 Wheeler Street property is required to be completed prior to the installation of the box culvert through this property.  Utility relocation work on 55 Wheeler Street is anticipated to take 8 weeks, box culvert installation is scheduled immediately following. These construction activities should continue through April with surface restoration immediately following..  Construction on 55 Wheeler Street will occur Monday through Friday, between 2 pm through 11 pm.

Utility work and box culvert installation within Fawcett Street should be completed prior to the end of the 2011.

Excavation, screening, stockpiling and removal of soils continues within the Alewife Reservation.  Approximately 1/3 of the stormwater wetland berm has been installed..

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November 17, 2011

The Wheeler Street paving that was scheduled for Friday, November 18 has been postponed.  Please check back for updates.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

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October 17, 2011

Vegetation within the Alewife Reservation has been cleared in preparation for construction of the stormwater wetland.  Current work activities include the continued work on electrical, water, sanitary and telecommunication lines.  An erosion control berm will be constructed to protect the work area. 

Utility relocation continues on Fawcett Street to make room for the installation of the box culvert through the turn near 70 Fawcett Street to the sections installed at the railroad crossing. 

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October 3, 2011

The crossing of the high speed railroad lines near 70 - 110 Fawcett Street was successfully completed over the weekend from Friday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m. through Monday, October 3 at 5:00 a.m.  The box culvert, water main and approach slab was completed at this location and the high speed commuter rail lines were replaced and ready for commuter traffic on Monday morning.  Work will continue through the railroad property and into Fawcett Street where existing utility lines will be relocated to make room for the continuation of the box culvert work within Fawcett Street between the railroad and 70 Fawcett Street.  This work should take approximately 4 weeks to complete.

Clearing of vegetation within the Limit of Work area within the Alewife Reservation will begin on October 3rd to allow for the beginning phases of construction of the stormwater wetland.  Following clearing an erosion control berm will be established prior to excavation and grubbing.  Grubbing of the area will occur in phases as construction proceeds.

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September 21, 2011

NOTICE:  The work scheduled for the crossing of the high speed commuter railroad lines has been postponed and will not occur over the weekend from September 23rd to September 26th.  Work will be rescheduled and is tentatively set for the weekend of September 30th to October 2nd.  Please check here and on the MBTA website at http://mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/  under “Service Updates - Commuter Rail”.

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September 19, 2011

Beginning on Friday, September 23 at 8:00 p.m. and continuing through Monday, September 26 at 5:00 a.m., the City of Cambridge’s contractor, P. Gioioso & Sons, in coordination with the MBTA, will be conducting construction work activities across the MBTA railroad tracks in the area north of Fawcett Street and south of CambridgePark Drive.

This work requires a shut-down of the inbound and outbound Fitchburg Commuter Rail Line during the weekend construction time period (9/23 to 9/26). Commuters will be directed to shuttle buses which will be operated by the MBTA between stations (inbound and outbound). Please refer to the MBTA’s web site for the most up to date information on busing, as routes may change: http://mbta.com/rider_tools/transit_updates/  under “Service Updates - Commuter Rail”. Please note that this work will not impact Red Line subway or MBTA bus service.

In order to complete these activities as quickly as possible, work will be conducted continuously on a 24-hour a day basis during Friday evening through early Monday morning. Construction vehicles will be accessing the work zone from Fawcett Street and CambridgePark Drive. Construction equipment will be operating for most of this time period. You may experience increased sounds of construction and notice lighting in the railroad area needed for construction night time operation. 

For more information, please view the community notice.

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September 12, 2011

A community meeting was held to discuss the construction activities associated with the stormwater wetland construction on Wednesday, September 7th at 6:30 p.m. at the West Cambridge Youth Center, 680 Huron Avenue, Cambridge.  Click here to view a copy of the presentation.  The establishment of the construction work zone and erosion control placement will begin the week of September 12th.  A process to identify and relocate wildlife found within the work zone will continue along with the establishment of the work zone.  Clearing activities will begin within this work zone on or after October 1st. 

A pedestrian and bicycle detour between Belmont and the Alewife MBTA Red line Subway Station within the Alewife Reservation went into effect in June and will be in effect for the duration of the Alewife Reservation construction.  Please click here for a map of the detour area, route and schedule. 

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The Cambridge Department of Public Works in conjunction with NSTAR Electric, NSTAR Gas, and AT&T, began utility relocation work in the Alewife Reservation on Tuesday May 3, 2011 in advance of the start of the stormwater wetland construction. This utility work relocated utilities beneath a portion of the Alewife Reservation and Little River to Acorn Park Drive through a process called Pilot Tube Auger Boring (PTAB).  PTAB is a trenchless technology method designed to minimize disturbance in the Alewife Reservation and Little River by tunneling under the Little River.   For a demonstration of PTAB please see the following video on You Tube.  The PTAB portion of the utility relocations has been completed.  Remaining work includes open trenching of the underground utilities from the staging area south to the connection points to existing utilities adjacent to the existing bike path. This work is on-going and expected to be completed by the end of September 2011.

Flagging of wetlands and the survey of the Limit of Work area for the stormwater wetland has been completed and a Limit of Work construction fence is being erected and erosion control devices are being established beginning September 12th.  A community meeting was held on September 7th to discuss construction schedule and sequencing for the stormwater wetland (see above). For more information on the Stormwater Wetland design, schedule and bike/pedestrian detour please click here.

A second work crew continues the construction on the Bending Weir structure that will connect the existing 72" Wheeler Street drain to the proposed 8' x 4' box culvert.  The structure is located beyond the end of Wheeler Street adjacent to the Railroad tracks.  Another structure, MWRA crossing structure, is also under construction behind 70 Fawcett Street that will allow the new box culverts to pass over/around the existing MWRA pipes.

Construction of the box culvert beneath the railroad tracks near the bend on Fawcett Street will begin the evening of September 23rd.  Construction under the high speed commuter line tracks will be a 24 hour operation beginning the evening of September 23rd through the morning of September 26th.  During this time commuter rail service will be interrupted and busing of commuters will replace rail service. Pre construction activities have begun with the removal of freight lines near the bend in Fawcett Street by Pan Am Railways.  More information to follow.

Refer to the Schedule tab for more information on work activities.

 

June 11, 2013

Construction for this project began on May 3, 2011 and is expected to be complete in September 2013.

Please note: this schedule is subject to change.

Summary of Current and Anticipated Work within the Alewife Reservation

  • Install decking and hand rails along boardwalks and overlooks (ongoing through June 2013)
  • Manage invasive plant growth (as needed)
  • Complete upland planting (ongoing through June 2013)
  • Base paving of the multi-use path (ongoing through June 2013)
  • Stabilized Aggregate Paving of the foot path (through August 2013)
  • Amphitheater construction (through August 2013)
  • Final grading and planting along south side of multi-use path (through July 2013)
  • Surface restoration of Reservation access path from CambridgePark Drive at the cul-de-sac (August through September 2013))

Summary of Current and Anticipated Work outside the Alewife Reservation

  • Cast-in-place access manhole along Wheeler St. (through mid June)
  • Cleaning and inspection of existing and newly installed infrastructure within project limits (beginning mid June 2013))
  • Surface restoration of 321 and 211 Alewife Brook Parkway (beginning July 2013)
  • Surface restoration of Wheeler St. (beginning mid June)
  • Surface restoration of CambridgePark Drive (TBD)

Work Activities completed between April 24, 2013 and May 16, 2013 

  • Dewatering of wetland for planting of final deep water plants (Spring)
  • Completion of all utility relocations within the Alewife Reservation
  • Rehabilitation of existing 72” drain line along Wheeler St.
  • Cast-in-place manhole installation and sewer and drain rehabilitation on Fawcett St.

Work Activities completed between January 8, 2013 and April 24, 2013  

  • Box culvert installation and drain lateral connections 
  • Water main installation and water service connections 
  • Other utility relocations and service connections 
  • Construction of the decking and mesh at the Oxbow overlook and other sections of the boardwalk within the wetland, swale, and forebay areas. 
  • Grading of multi-use path

Work Activities completed the between October 1, 2012 and January 7, 2013

  • Lining of sewer pipe from Wheeler Street to Terminal Road
  • Utility relocation in new connecter path to Alewife Reservation
  • Cast in place drain structure in Fawcett Street
  • Sewer rehabilitation of Terminal Road sewer
  • Test pits in Wheeler Street
  • Restoration of parking lot at 125 CambridgePark Drive
  • Basin dewatering (for winter season)
  • Substantially completed installation of wetland plants
  • Grading and stabilization of swale between forebay and wetland basin
  • Construction of the framing and decking at the Oxbow overlook and other section of the boardwalk within the wetland, swale and forebay areas
  • Grading of multi-use path.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of August 27 through October 1, 2012

  • Completed basin excavation from west to east, grading and placing hydric soil and upland topsoil (95%)
  • Completed 95% of marsh plantings
  • Replaced dead plants within wetland and upland areas
  • Completed Oxbow planting and opened channels to the river
  • Began upland planting adjacent to forebay
  • Removed sandbags from Oxbow at Little River banks

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of July 23 through August 27, 2012

  • Oxbow planting
  • Grading and planting of the Upland Peninsula at eastern end of wetland basin
  • MWRA crossing structure behind 125 CambridgePark Drive
  • Forebay shaping and grading
  • Restoration of area behind 55 Wheeler Street and 70 Fawcett Street

 

Work Activities completed the weeks June 17, 2012 through July 23, 2012

  • Restoration of 55 Wheeler Street property.
  • Restoration of 125/150/180 CambridgePark Drive
  • Completed box culvert and utility relocation within CambridgePark Drive
  • Community planting day was held July 14, 2012 and 1,000 wetland plugs planted in a 1,000 square foot area of high and emergent marsh.
  • West end of wetland basin planted.
  • Oxbow grading and soil placement.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of May 14, 2012 through June 17, 2012:     

  • Began planting of upland and riparian woodland plants, seed mix and erosion control matting.
  • Dewatered the Oxbow and installed three wells.
  • Amended soils to address pH and nutrient requirements.
  • Installed temporary plant irrigation system.
  • Began shaping and forming of Oxbow, excavated through the bank of Little River at two locations and blocked with sandbags.
  • Ongoing management of the breakthrough of invasive species along the berms through hand pulling and screening of all soil to be placed along the berms through a 2" screen.  
  • Completed the installation of water main, sewer main and utility relocations within CambridgePark Drive between 125 and 150.
  • Completed installation of box culvert on 125 CambridgePark Drive property.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of March 22, 2012 through May 14, 2012:  

  • Completed the installation of cabled concrete block in forebay within Alewife Reservation.
  • Completed the installation of footings for the overlook adjacent to the forebay.
  • NSTAR Electric completed splicing cables, removing wires from old conduit and removed utility poles within the Alewife Reservation manholes.
  • Completed the footings for the boardwalk across the center of the wetland basin.
  • Continued to manage stockpiled soils, remove non reusable soils and screen reusable topsoil within the Alewife Reservation.
  • Poured some interior walls of at the MWRA crossing structure.
  • Completed the installation of box culvert and water main across 150/180 CambridgePark Drive.
  • NSTAR Electric completed the relocation of underground conduits to temporary above ground service on CambridgePark Drive.
  • NSTAR Electric completed the installation of guy poles to stabilize utility poles on Wheeler Street for future work by Verizon.
  • Poured closing structure at box culvert on Fawcett Street near railroad crossing.
  • Replaced old water main with new 12" within the 55 Wheeler Street property Limit of Work area.
  • Paved trench and began final restoration of excavated areas at 55 Wheeler Street.
  • Completed test pits along Wheeler Street.
  • Completed test pits along box culvert alignment at 125/150/180 CambridgePark Drive.
  • Completed enclosure structure at open channel behind 70 Fawcett Street and began restoration of area.

Work Activities completed the weeks of February 5th through March 22, 2012:   

  • Completed grading and excavation of "Forebay" area within the Alewife Reservation and installed 80% of the cabled concrete block in forebay. 
  • Installed headwall for outfall to the forebay within the Alewife Reservation.
  • Installed headwall of outlet from forebay to vegetated swale within Alewife Reservation.
  • Backfilled Support of Excavation for the Oxbow overlook footings within the Alewife Reservation. 
  • Completed installation of box culvert across 55 Wheeler Street property.
  • Enclosed MWRA crossing structure behind 70 Fawcett Street
  • Poured concrete walls, backfilled Support of Excavation and began forming interior walls on the MWRA crossing structure behind 125 CambridgePark Drive. Several sections of box culvert were placed downstream of the structure to the new outfall to the forebay.
  • Completed test pits along Wheeler Street.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of January 22nd through February 5th : 

  • Utility relocation work at 55 Wheeler Street substantially completed.  Began installation of box culvert.
  • Installed erosion control blankets on the inner slopes of the berm and plastic sheeting for portions of the main and temporary berms, installed hay bales along the 5-ft contour in main basin, and installed hydromulch/tackifiers on all stockpiles and bare flat areas within the Alewife Reservation.
  • Concrete footings were poured for the overlook structure that will extend over the Oxbow in the Alewife Reservation.
  • Rebar was installed for the exterior walls and floor of the Belmont Crossing Structure behind 125 CambridgePark Drive.  The concrete floor was poured.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of December 11th thru January 22nd:

  • Continued installation of French drain and erosion control berms within the Alewife Reservation.  Approximately 70% of the main basin permanent berm has been installed.     
  • Managed soil stockpiles within the Alewife Reservation. Approximately 90% of the upper topsoil layer to be removed from the site has been stripped and stockpiled.  Soils are being screened prior to disposal off site and for stockpiling on site for reuse.
  • Excavation began in the "Oxbow" area within the Alewife Reservation.  A Support of Excavation was installed at the location of the Oxbow overlook and footings installed and backfilled with crushed stone.   
  • Dewatering operations began in the Oxbow area. Site dewatering is being handled through a combination of settling, frac tanks and filtration bags.
  • NSTAR Electric began and completed pulling electric cable through the PTAB conduits and manholes at Acorn Park Drive and the Alewife Reservation.  Electric cable was also pulled through conduits placed near 150 CambridgePark Drive to provide for temporary overhead power.
  • Completed box culvert closure piece within Fawcett Street, and completed drain connections, installed catch basins, deep sump manhole and replaced section of collapsed sewer line..
  • Began utility relocation work on 55 Wheeler Street property.  Installed an 8' diameter sewer manhole for bifurcation structure, set forms for concrete collars, demolished 10 lf of existing 48" RCP sewer, cut and capped an 8" cast iron water main, installed 41 lf of 8" DI water main, and installed 29 lf of 12 PVC sewer pipe.
  • Established work zone at 125 CambridgePark Drive for the installation of the Belmont Sewer Crossings.  Installed Support of Excavation and completed splicing of sleeves on the 36" and 30" MWRA sewers.  

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of November 21st through December 11th :

  • Wheeler Street paving - skim coat only. 
  • Continue installation of French drain and erosion control berms within the Alewife Reservation. Approximately 1/3 of the permanent wetland berm has been installed.
  • Manage soil stockpiles within the Alewife Reservation. Approximately 80% of the upper topsoil layer to be removed from the site has been stripped and stockpiled. Soil is screened before removal off site.  Approximately 65% of the hydric soils and upland soils have been excavated and stockpiled for future use.
  • Installation of box culvert within Fawcett Street from the railroad crossing to 70 Fawcett Street 98% complete.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of October 31st through November 20th:

  • Approximately 350 Linear Feet of erosion control berm and French drain has been installed within the Alewife Reservation. 
  • Screening station set up to screen soil piles within the Alewife Reservation
  • Built wheel wash station within the Alewife Reservation.
  • Excavated and installed the Basin Outlet Structure and 24" PVC dewatering well to assist in the site dewatering within the Alewife Reservation.
  • AT&T completed pulling and splicing lines between Acorn Park Drive and the Alewife Reservation, and removed overhead wires from reservation utility poles.
  • Fire alarm completed pulling and splicing lines between Acorn Park Drive and the Alewife Reservation, and removed overhead wires form reservation utility poles.
  • Inspection of electric conduit bundle and manholes completed.
  • Tested and connected the new water main in Fawcett Street to the connection at the MBTA railroad crossing.
  • Relocated a section of sanitary sewer in Fawcett Street.(near 70 - 110 Fawcett Street).
  • Continued work on the MWRA crossing structure behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Verizon completed installation of 4 - 4" PVC conduits on Wheeler Street at Concord Avenue.

 

 Work Activities completed the weeks of October 17th through October 30th:

  • Completed pouring the roof and walls of the new Electric manhole within the Alewife Reservation
  • Completed the lowering of the water main in place within the Alewife Reservation.
  • Gas main tested and went live, old main retired within the Alewife Reservation to Acorn Park Drive.
  • Installed 160 LF of water main within the bend of Fawcett Street (near 70 - 110 Fawcett Street).

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of October 3rd through October 16th:

  • Cleared vegetation from within the Limit of Work area in the Alewife Reservation.
  • Wetland areas within the Limit of Work area within the Alewife Reservation have been reflagged to allow for the excavation and stockpiling of hydric soils from these areas.
  • Relocated gas main was tested and tap completed within the Alewife Reservation and on Acorn Park Drive. 
  • Lowered the existing sanitary force main within the Alewife Reservation
  • Electrical conduit was encased in concrete and crossed over the MWRA interceptor lines within the Alewife Reservation.

 

Work Activities completed the weeks of September 19th through October 2nd:

  • Completed installation of erosion and sedimentation controls and site fence around the limit of work in Alewife Reservation.
  • Installed the silt curtains adjacent to the bank in the Little River at selected locations (Alewife Reservation).
  • Began excavation for the proposed cast-in-place electric manhole near the Stormwater Wetland access road (Alewife Reservation).
  • Completed installation of bending weir structure behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Completed relocation of sewer main behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Continued installation of the box culvert behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Completed the crossing of the high speed commuter railroad lines between 150/180 CambridgePark Drive and 110 Fawcett Street with the box culvert, water main and approach slab..

 

Work Activities completed week of September 12th:

  • Began the installation of Limit of Work (LOW) fencing and erosion control for the Stormwater Wetland within the Alewife Reservation.  This work includes clearing a path approximately 20' wide adjacent to the LOW fence.
  • Continued utility work (electric, gas and AT&T) to connect with manholes and connection locations (Alewife Reservation).
  • Backfilled the launching pit (Alewife Reservation).
  • Continued work on the MWRA crossing structure behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Pored roof structure on the bending weir behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Removed Pan Am freight railroad lines and began preparation for high speed rail crossing (at bend in Fawcett Street).
  • Began mobilization of high speed railroad crossing (through 150 CambridgePark Drive).

 

Work Activities completed week of August 29th through September 9th:

  • Reflagged wetlands and surveyed limit of work line in preparation stormwater wetland construction (Alewife Reservation).
  • Brought utilities (electric, gas and AT&T) from the launching pit approximately 100 feet (Alewife Reservation).
  • Installed AT&T manhole, installed AT&T conduits and concrete encased electric conduits (Alewife Reservation).
  • Relocated 18" sewer behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Began the footing for the MWRA crossing structure behind 70 Fawcett Street.
  • Installed box culvert sections behind 70 Fawcett Street.

 

Work activities completed week of August 22nd:

  • Backfilled receiving pit and restored property adjacent to Acorn Park Drive.
  • Repaved and striped pavement markings along a portion of Acorn Park Drive
  • Completed installation of AT&T manholes and conduits along Acorn Park Drive.
  • Replaced stabilized aggregate sand paths adjacent to Acorn Park Drive.
  • Connected new electric conduits to existing electric manhole in Acorn Park Drive.

 

Work activities completed week of August 15th:  

  • Thermal grouting of the NSTAR electric duct bank beneath the Little River was completed (Alewife Reservation and Acorn Park Drive).
  • Pulled gas, AT&T and electric conduits up from the receiving pit to Acorn Park Drive.
  • Installed new AT&T manhole near Acorn Park Drive.
  • Completed the AT&T duct bank in Acorn Park Drive.
  • Installed one box culvert section adjacent to the bending weir structure.

 

Work Activities completed the Week of August 8th:

  • NSTAR Electric conduit bundle was fused, assembled and installed into the Hobas pipe below the Little River (Alewife Reservation).
  • Demobilization of PTAB equipment (Alewife Reservation and Acorn Park Drive).

 

 Work Activities completed the Week of July 25th and August 8th:

  • Auger bore and push 36" pipe for relocated NSTAR Electric conduit beneath the Little River (Alewife Reservation).
  • Dismantle auger bore equipment from receiving and launching pits (Alewife Reservation).
  • Continue work on the placement of the bending weir structure beyond the end of Wheeler Street adjacent to the railroad tracks. 
  • Raised NSTAR Electric lines along the west side of Wheeler Street in anticipation of Verizon line relocation, and installed new NSTAR Electric pole at the end of Wheeler Street..

 

Work Activities completed the Week of July 18th:

  • Auger bore and pull the relocated NSTAR Gas main beneath the Little River from Alewife Reservation to location south of Acorn Park Drive.
  • Relocate PTAB equipment within Alewife Reservation "drilling pit" in preparation for the auger bore for the relocation of the NSTAR Electric lines.
  • Continue work on the placement of the bending weir structure beyond the end of Wheeler Street adjacent to the railroad tracks.
  • Utility manhole construction within Acorn Park Drive 

 

Work Activities completed the Week of July 11th:

  • Auger bore and push of the relocated AT&T conduits beneath the Little River from Alewife Reservation to Acorn Park Drive
  • Relocation of PTAB equipment within the Alewife Reservation "drilling pit" in preparation of auger bore for the relocation of the NSTAR Gas conduit.
  • Began excavation and preparation for the construction of the Bending Weir structure.
  • Completed a test pit and support of excavation for electric manhole on Acorn Park Drive.

 

 

Project Background

This construction project is a key element of the Alewife Sewer Separation Project that will separate the combined sanitary wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in the Huron Ave and Concord Ave neighborhoods east of Fresh Pond as part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) Long Term Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan for the Alewife Brook. The current sewer and drain utilities in these neighborhoods were constructed many years ago. During certain rain the combined sewer system can become overwhelmed causing flooding of streets and surrounding properties, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs) can be released directly to the Alewife Brook.

This project involves the construction of a new box culvert storm pipe to convey the newly separated stormwater to a new treatment wetland in the Alewife Brook Reservation where pollutants found in stormwater will be treated by the wetland system before being discharged into the Little River.

Construction of this project will provide significant environmental benefits by eliminating the existing combined sewer outfall, minimize flooding in the Concord Avenue and Fresh Pond Parkway areas, protect Fresh Pond from flood waters, and will reduce the discharge of pollutants to the Little River and Alewife Brook.

Design for this project is being managed by the Department of Public Works, in coordination with the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. Engineering consultants are Kleinfelder/S E A Consultants, MWH Americas Inc. and Bioengineering Group.

Additional drawings and specifications are available for viewing at the Cambridge Department of Public Works.

 

 

Cambridge Department of Public Works 147 Hampshire Street

Standard work hours are 7 AM to 4PM, but work hours on private property and within the Alewife Reservation man extend until 11 PM, Monday through Friday (occasional work will occur on Saturdays). Rarely construction may extend 24 hours for utility relocation work associated with the lowering of utilities within the Alewife Reservation and under the Little River.

 

For information on this project, please contact Catherine Daly Woodbury at 617-349-4818 or cwoodbury@cambridgema.gov.

You may also contact Bruno Cardarelli, Project Engineer for Kleinfelder/S E A Consultants at 617-799-4374, for information related to the construction.

For 24-hour emergency assistance please call DPW at 617-349-4800.

Page was last modified on 7/25/2023 3:43 AM
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