Holland St & College Ave Mobility Improvements

Weather permitting, City contractors will finish construction of the raised intersection at Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street this Saturday, July 19 between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m.

While work was expected to be completed on Friday, crews will require one additional working day to finish the intersection.

The currently active westbound (toward Teele Square) will remain in place while this work is completed. See previous post for details.

Construction is scheduled to start at 5 a.m. because we are expecting a high-volume of pedestrian traffic on Holland Street and in the Davis Square area due to the Art Beat festival planned for later in the day.

We apologize for any disruption this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to make this intersection safer.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions.

Weather permitting, beginning this upcoming Wednesday, July 16 at approximately 7 a.m. City contractors will construct a raised intersection at Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street.

This work will require westbound traffic along Holland Street heading from Davis Square toward Teele Square to be detoured via College Avenue and Broadway.

Once in place, detours will be in effect for approximately 48 hours to provide time for granite curbing to set properly. Crews expect to reopen the roadway to westbound traffic on Friday, July 18.

Detour Info - Holland Street Westbound Detour (Davis to Teele Square)

• Westbound (heading from Davis Square toward Teele Square) through vehicle traffic will be directed right on College Avenue and left on Broadway before reconnecting with Holland Street at Teele Square.
  • Local access will be maintained for local residents and businesses.
• Eastbound (heading from Teele toward Davis Square) vehicle traffic will be able to proceed as usual.
• Access from Irving Street to Holland Street will be restricted while work on the intersection is underway.
  • During this time Irving Street will become temporarily two-way to facilitate resident access.

Pedestrian, Transit and Other Impacts

• Sidewalks will remain open and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
• MBTA bus routes 87 and 88 will offer modified service during this period.
  • Visit mbta.com/bus for details
• Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all times.
• Some temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place.
  • Please observe posted signage.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400.

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About Raised Crossings

Raising crosswalks to sidewalk height requires people driving to slow down as they approach the crossing. Additionally, because they are sidewalk height, they enable people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to cross more easily.

Interested in learning more about traffic calming? Visit our traffic calming page at somervillema.gov/trafficcalming for information on different traffic calming tools, a map of existing and future traffic calming locations, as well as an overview of how we prioritize these interventions.

Earlier this week crews completed paving segments of roadway along Holland Street, College Ave., and Highland Ave (at the intersection of College Ave.)

Remaining Work

Over the coming weeks crews will work to complete the remaining work planned as part of this project. That work includes:

• Construction of a raised Intersection at Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street
  • Why a raised intersection? Raised crossings make crossing safer and more comfortable for everyone. Since they are elevated (roughly to sidewalk height), people driving must slow down as they approach the crossing. Because they are sidewalk height, they enable people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to cross more easily. Learn more at somervillema.gov/trafficcalming
  • This work will require a temporary closure of Holland Street and motor vehicle detours. Additional notification will be provided here and shared with the neighborhood via City Alert.
• Pavement markings/roadway striping on newly paved asphalt
• Reinstallation of flex posts along protected bicycle lanes where paving took place

Thank you for your understanding and patience as we move toward substantial completion of this project.

As always, if you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext 5400.

Update 7/10 - Due to weather earlier this week, the final stretch of paving on College Avenue (Davis Square to Park Ave.) has been rescheduled to take place beginning Friday, July 11 at approximately 3 a.m. and ending approximately 6 a.m.

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This upcoming week City contractors will pave segments of the roadway on Holland Street, College Avenue, and at the intersection of Highland Avenue and College Avenue.

Paving will take place overnight beginning Tuesday, July 8 at approximately 8 p.m. and ending Wednesday, July 9 at approximately 5 a.m. This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Locations of Work

• Holland Street (Claremon St. to Broadway)
• Holland Street (Simpson St. to Davis Square)
• College Avenue (Park Ave. to Davis Square)
• Highland Avenue (approximately 100 ft on approaching College Avenue)

Construction Impacts

• Road closures and motor vehicle detours will be in effect during paving. Please observe posted signage.
  • Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians
• Access to driveways along the affected streets will be temporarily restricted.
  • If you need use of your vehicle during this time, we recommend relocating it in advance of paving.
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place throughout the neighborhood to facilitate paving.
  • Please observe posted signage.
• MBTA bus routes 87 and 88 will offer modified service during paving. Visit mbta.com/bus for more info.

After paving is completed, the affected stretch of the road will remain closed until crews determine the asphalt is sufficiently cooled to reopen. All affected segments of roadway are expected to be reopened Wednesday morning.

Please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Dept. at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions.

Crews mill (remove the top few layers of existing asphalt) on Holland Street, 7/1 in preparation for paving.

Beginning Tuesday, July 1 (weather permitting) City contractors will mill (remove the top few layers of existing asphalt) and prepare to pave segments of roadway on Holland Street, College Avenue, and at the intersection of Highland Avenue and College Avenue.

Paving is expected to take place 7-10 days after milling is complete. Additional notification will be provided ahead of paving.

Description of Work and Anticipated Schedule

Milling is expected to take one working day, approximately 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Work will be completed in four phases as outlined below. Crews will finish milling one phase before moving onto the next.

• Phase 1: Holland Street (Claremon St. to Broadway)
• Phase 2: Holland Street (Irving St. to Davis Square)
  • excluding raised crossing at Winter Street
• Phase 3: College Avenue (Park Ave. to Davis Square)

• Phase 4: Highland Avenue (approximately 100 ft. on approaching College Avenue)

Flex posts along the protected bike lanes will be removed to facilitate this work. They will be installed shortly after paving

After milling is complete crews will work to raise castings (manhole covers and other in-ground structures) to their final height before paving..

Construction Impacts

• Road closures will be in place around Davis and Teele Square to facilitate work.
• Detour routes for motor vehicles will vary throughout the day as crews move from phase to phase. Please observe posted signage.
  • Sidewalks in both directions will remain open
  • MBTA buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to proceed in both directions at all times.
• Temporary on street parking restrictions will be in place. Please observe signage.
• Trash/recycling pick-ups and deliveries will not be affected.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.

Sidewalks

Earlier this month, City contractors finished installing new sidewalks along Holland Street outside of Davis Square and Teele Square.

Traffic Signal Improvements – Intersection of Holland Street and Broadway

City contractors are actively working to improve traffic signal operation by adjusting timing and relocating/upgrading equipment at the intersection of Holland Street and Broadway.

Why?

• To Improve emergency response times by preventing vehicles from blocking the fire station driveway.
• To create a safer, more accessible experience for people crossing the street by adding an accessible push button and upgraded countdown timer.

Paving

As the final major piece of this project, crews will repave segments of both Holland Street and College Avenue. Milling (removal of the current top few layers of asphalt) and other preparation for paving is expected to take place the week of June 30th. Additional notification will be provided.

Locations:

Holland Street

• Dover Street to Winter Street
  • Includes new raised intersection at intersection of Irving Street/Thorndike Street
• Claremon Street to Newbury Street

College Avenue

• Highland Avenue to Winslow Avenue

Highland Avenue

• At intersection w/ College Avenue

Pavement markings and reinstallation of flex posts that were removed to facilitate work to follow.

Questions?

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.

Sidewalk Work Progresses to Teele Square Area - Week of 5/12

Crews have nearly completed new sidewalks along Holland Street between approximately Simpson Avenue and Wallace Street outside of Davis Square. Following this work crews will be moving west to begin sidewalk construction in Teele Square.

What’s Next?

Continued Sidewalk Work - Holland Street in Teele Square

Beginning as early as Monday, May 12th and over the coming weeks, crews will be working to reconstruct sidewalks on Holland Street between Newbury Street and Claremon Street.

Work will start near the intersection with Broadway on the odd-numbered side of the street and move south toward Newbury Street before moving to the even-numbered side.

Traffic Signal Improvements at Broadway/Holland Street Intersection

The City will also be improving traffic signal operations at the intersection of Broadway and Holland Street by adjusting signal timing/operations and upgrading equipment.

These improvements are designed to

• Improve emergency response times by preventing vehicles from blocking the fire station driveway.
• Create a safer, more accessible experience for people crossing the street by adding an accessible push button and upgraded countdown timer.

Example Accessible Push Button on Holland Street by Hodgkin-Curtin Park

Recently Completed Sidewalks on Holland Street

Paving of the roadway to follow sidewalk construction. See previous post for details.

If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.

Update 3/24 - Work on the first stretch of Holland Street (Simpson Avenue to Wallace Street) is now expected to begin later this week with installation of tree protection.
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As early as the week of 4/7, City contractors plan to return to Holland Street and College Avenue in the Davis and Teele Square area to finish reconstructing sidewalks, pave segments of the roadway, and install a new raised intersection at Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street.

Scope and Location of Remaining Work

New sidewalks on Holland Street

• Simpson Avenue to Wallace Street
• Claremon Street to Newbury Street

Raised Intersection at Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street

• Why a raised intersection?

  • Raised crossings make crossing safer and more comfortable for everyone. Since they are elevated (roughly to sidewalk height), people driving must slow down as they approach the crossing. Because they are sidewalk height, they enable people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to cross more easily. Learn more at somervillema.gov/trafficcalming.

Curb-to-Curb Roadway Paving

Holland Street

• Wallace Street to Simpson Avenue
• Claremon Street to Newbury Street
• Dover Street to Winter Street

College Avenue

• Highland Avenue to Winslow Street

Anticipated Schedule

Work is expected to begin during the week of 4/7 or soon after and continue through the spring.

Additional notification will be provided via flyer to residents/business prior to sidewalk excavation in front of their residence or business.

Final paving will follow sidewalk reconstruction and installation of the raised intersection.

Construction Impacts

• Temporary parking restrictions will be in place during sidewalk construction.
  • Please observe posted signage.
• Road closures and detours will be in place during paving.
  • Additional notification provided prior to paving.
  • Please observe detour signage.

If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.

Next week crews expect to complete installation of new sidewalks on both sides of College Avenue (~MBTA headhouse to Winslow Avenue) in Davis Square.

What's Next?

Drainage installation at the intersection of Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street - Beginning Week of 11/18 or Soon After

• Crews will install new drainage structures in preparation for construction of a new raised intersection in spring '25.
  • Why a raised intersection?
    • Raised crossings make crossing safer and more comfortable for everyone. Since they are elevated (roughly to sidewalk height), people driving must slow down as they approach the crossing. Because they are sidewalk height, they enable people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to cross more easily. Learn more at somervillema.gov/trafficcalming.

New sidewalks on Holland Street between Simpson Ave. and Wallace Street - Beginning week of 11/25 or Soon After

• Crews will excavate/remove existing sidewalk panels prior to installing new concrete sidewalks.
  • Residents and businesses will receive additional notification prior to new concrete being poured in front of their home/business.

Work is expected to continue over the coming weeks are weather allows. Following this phase of work crews will break for the winter season.

Moving Forward - Spring '25

All roadway paving associated with this work (see previous update for limits of planned paving) will take place next spring. This includes construction of the new raised intersection at the intersection of Holland Street/Irving Street/Thorndike Street.

Reconstruction of sidewalks on Holland Street outside of Teele Square (~ Claremon St. to Newbury St.) is also expected to take place next spring.

If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.

City contractors will be reconstructing sidewalks and then paving the roadway along portions of Holland Street between Teele Square and Davis Square as well as on College Avenue outside of Davis Square.

No changes to the existing curbline or parking regulations are included in this work.

Anticipated Schedule:

Work is expected to begin Monday, September 23 or soon after and continue through the fall.

Additional notification will be provided via flyer to residents/business prior to sidewalk excavation in front of their residence or business.

Paving will follow sidewalk reconstruction.

Construction Impacts:

• Temporary parking restrictions will be in place during sidewalk construction.
  • Please observe posted signage.
• Road closures and detours will be in place during paving.
  • Additional notification provided prior to paving.
    • Please observe detour signage.

If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.