Holland St & College Ave Mobility Improvements

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.

Following last year’s implementation of mobility and safety improvements on Holland St. and College Ave., the City and our general contractor encountered a number of challenges (material and subcontractor availability, weather, etc.) delaying installation of the final pieces of this project.

The City’s Engineering Division is actively coordinating with our general contractor to address these challenges and to schedule installation of the remaining items below:

• Addition of flex-posts, green bike lane paint, and other outstanding line striping on Holland St. (Simpson Ave. to Claremon St.)

• Bollard installation on floating bus stop on Holland St. at Cameron Ave.

• Additional flex-posts and flexi-pave installation on select sidewalks along College Ave.

Once we have more information regarding the timeline for installation of these remaining pieces, we will share it here. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to make our streets safer.

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

Weather permitting, beginning the night of Wednesday, April 12 or soon after, City contractors plan to eradicate old pavement markings on Holland Street from Teele Square to Davis Square and prepare for the installation of the remaining pavement markings required for implementation of the Holland Street Safety Update Plan.

Anticipated Work Schedule (subject to change):

• Wednesday-Thursday, April 12-13, between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Locations of Work:

• Holland Street (Teele Sq. to Davis Sq.)

Construction Impacts:

• On-street parking may be restricted during construction.

• Potential periods of elevated noise levels around work zones.

• Access to your driveway may be temporarily restricted, but onsite crews will help you get in and out of your driveway if needed.

Crews will return to complete the final pavement markings sometime in the coming weeks.

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

The Somerville Traffic Commission voted to approve the Holland Street Safety Update Plan at the October 13, 2022, meeting. This plan includes protected bike lanes from Teele Square to Buena Vista Road in addition to reconstructing sidewalks, repaving the street from Claremon Street to Simpson Avenue, and implementing safety improvements such as raised crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, and expanded bus stops. The new pavement markings will be implemented this fall after repaving is complete. The new design maintains parking on one side of Holland Street, but restricts parking on the other side in order to create protected bike lanes. Meters and loading zones will also be added to side streets. An overview of the final design is described below. You can also check out the presentation slides from the Traffic Commission meeting for more details.

To stay up to date on construction, subscribe to City Alerts via email, phone, or text, or continue to visit this website. The next steps for construction are described below.

Construction Update

Weather permitting, starting Monday, October 17, or soon after, City contractors will install the three raised crosswalks included in the approved plan, requiring a road closure on Holland Street westbound (Elm to Broadway). Construction is expected to take one to two weeks. Please note:

• Holland Street westbound from Davis Square to Teele Square will be closed 24/7 during construction. Westbound vehicles and cyclists will be detoured to College Ave. and Broadway.

• Holland Street eastbound will remain open.

• MBTA bus routes 87 and 88 will offer modified service during crosswalk construction. Visit mbta.com/bus for details.

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

Design Overview

Below are the final designs approved by the Traffic Commission on October 13.

From Teele Square to Claremon Street, the new design retains parking on the north side of the street and restricts parking on the south side of the street. The north side parking is located seven feet from the curb, with a westbound protected bike lane against the curb. When parklets are in operation, the seasonal outdoor dining would remain at the curbside and the bike lane would go around it. In the wintertime, the parklet would be removed and the bike lane would be on the curbside. Parking is currently planned as mixture commercial loading zones, accessible parking, metered parking and overnight resident parking.

From Claremon Street to Elmwood Street, parking will be maintained on the north side of the street and restricted on the south side of the street. The north side parking is located seven feet from the curb, with a westbound protected bike lane against the curb. A protected bike lane runs eastbound toward Davis Square. Pedestrian-focused traffic islands and an expanded bus stop have been installed at the corner of Holland Street and Cameron Avenue. The will be a mixture of metered parking and resident permit required parking.

From Elmwood Street to Simpson Ave, parking will be maintained on the north side of the street and restricted on the south side of the street. The north side parking is located seven feet off the curb, with a westbound protected bike lane against the curb. A protected bike lane runs eastbound toward Davis Square. Pedestrian-focused curb extensions have already been constructed at Paulina and at Hodgkins Park crossing. New raised crosswalks will be implemented across Holland at Paulina Street and at the Hodgkins-Curtin Park crosswalk. North side parking is currently planned as mixture of accessible parking, commercial loading zones, 30-minute parking, and resident permit required parking.

From Simpson Ave to Wallace Street, parking will be maintained on the north side of the street and restricted on the south side of the street. The north side parking is located seven feet off the curb, with a westbound protected bike lane against the curb. A protected bike lane runs eastbound toward Davis Square. When parklets are in operation, the seasonal outdoor dining would remain at the curbside and the bike lane would taper around it. There will be a mixture of metered and accessible parking on the north side. Their will be an eastbound loading zone and morning peak hour bus lane opposite Wallace Street.

From Wallace Street to Davis Square, a large loading zone for passenger and commercial loading and peak hour bus lane will implemented on Holland Street eastbound from Buena Vista Road to Winter Street. This will turn into 24/7 bus bike lane from Winter Street to Davis Square. New protected bike lanes will run along the north side. The City has added new loading zones and parking meters on side streets to provide loading and short-term parking options.