Poplar Street Pump Station

Work to transform how roughly 60% of the city’s stormwater drainage is managed continues at 10 Poplar Street and on nearby streets.

Crews are working simultaneously to construct the 4-million-gallon stormwater stormwater storage tank at the 10 Poplar site and install associated utilities along Linwood and Poplar Street that connect the City’s system to the MBTA’s drainage system underneath the Green Line Extension.

10 Poplar Street Site Work - Progress on the Stormwater Storage Tank

As of October, the stormwater storage tank is roughly 50% complete. Following installation of the tank’s 1200+ cubic yard concrete base in July, City contractors have been working to complete installation of the tank’s walls. Once walls are complete, crews will install the tank’s concrete slab roof.

We currently expect construction of the tank could be substantially complete by the end of 2024, after which point crews will turn their attention to construction of the pump station.

Work at the 10 Poplar Street site is expected to continue through the winter.

Utility Installation on Linwood Street and Poplar Street

Crews have been working over recent months to complete installation of the force main through which stormwater from the pump station will be transported to the MBTA’s drainage system underneath the green line extension tracks. Weather permitting, force main installation is expected to be complete in approximately 2 weeks.

Following installation of the force main, crews will work to reinstall water mains that were temporarily relocated to facilitate work on the force main.

Utility work on Linwood Street and Poplar Street will continue through the fall, as weather permits. Crews will then pause for the winter and resume in the spring.

Temporary parking restrictions and regular detours will continue to be in place to facilitate this work.

Questions?

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

Starting in the early hours of the morning on Monday, July 8, City contractors delivered and successfully poured concrete for the tank’s 1200+ cubic yard base of the site’s future stormwater storage tank.

(City contractors working to install concrete base of the stormwater storage tank) What’s next?

Stormwater Storage Tank Construction - 10 Poplar Street Site

Crews are currently working to move forward tank construction by preparing for installation of the tank’s concrete walls (see picture below).

Wall installation is expected to proceed through the month of August with a currently anticipated completion date of mid-September.

Work hours for tank installation are typically 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Some early starts (5 a.m.- 6 a.m. may be required on select dates where concrete delivery/pouring is taking place.

Weather permitting, beginning Monday, July 8 at 2 a.m., City contractors will be delivering and pouring concrete for the 1200+ cubic yard base of the site’s future stormwater storage tank.

The early start will enable operations to proceed efficiently and reduce the daytime impact on neighborhood streets.

What to expect?

During this operation, numerous concrete trucks will be delivering concrete for the tank’s base. Trucks will arrive at the site and queue to deliver concrete to the excavated area.

Anticipated Schedule and Trucking Route (Subject to Change Due to Weather or Other Factors)

The majority of concrete is expected to be delivered between the hours of 2 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. on Monday, July 8th.

Trucks will be routed from Joy Street down Poplar Street to arrive at the project site. Trucks leaving the project site will be routed via Poplar Street to McGrath highway.

Some trucking may be required beyond this timeframe (2 a.m. to 6:30 a.m.). However, all concrete trucks are expected to be out of the neighborhood by 2 p.m. on Monday, July 8.

Additional Construction Impacts:

• Parking restrictions will be in place around work zones

  • Please observe posted signage

• Elevated noise levels in direct vicinity of site during work hours

Thank you for your patience and understanding during this crucial phase of the project’s construction.

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

Work has progressed over recent months both within the 10 Poplar Street site and under Linwood Street and Poplar Street where associated subsurface utility work is taking place. Below is an update on each of these workstreams as well as upcoming planned detours.

Linwood Street and Poplar Street (Right of Way Work)

• Crews are continuing to install subsurface utilities associated with the Pump Station along Linwood Street and Poplar Street. This work is expected to continue through July.

  • During the duration of this work regular closures will be required on Poplar Street during work hours (weekdays 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

  • Alternating, periodic closures of the intersections of Poplar/Linwood Street and Poplar/Joy Street will be required.

    • Crews will work to limit intersection closures to maintain ease of access for residents.

      • We anticipate an approximately ~2 week closure of the Poplar/Joy Street intersection during the first weeks of July. See below for additional info and detour routes.

10 Poplar Station Site Pump Work

Following the completion of excavation for the stormwater storage tank, crews have been working to prepare for the tank’s installation by creating a level surface and installing anchors that will link the tank with underlying bedrock among other efforts.

Next, crews will pour the 1200+ cubic yard concrete slab that will serve as the tank’s base. Additional notification will be provided here and via the City Alert systems ahead of this work.

Joy Street and Poplar Street Closed to Through Traffic - Begins 7/1 or Soon After

City Contractors contractors will be excavating at the intersection of Poplar Street and Joy Street July 1 or soon after.

During this phase of work, Joy Street and Poplar Street will be closed to through traffic.

Detour Route

While the work is underway at the intersection,

• Access to the Brickbottom neighborhood will be maintained via Somerville Avenue extension and Poplar St. at McGrath Highway
• Access to Joy Street and Linwood will be maintained for abutters.

• At least one sidewalk will remain open at all times to retain access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Anticipated Schedule (subject to change):

• Approximate duration of this phase of work is 2 weeks.

• Work hours are weekdays between approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Additional Construction Impacts:

• Parking restrictions will be in place around work zones

  • Please observe posted signage

• Elevated noise levels during work hours (weekdays, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

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

Poplar Street Pump Station - Progress Update

City contractors have nearly completed digging the 40-ft deep, 170 ft. diameter area hole that will house the Pump Station's underground stormwater storage tank. Once constructed this tank will have capacity to store up to 4 million gallons of stormwater.

After excavation is complete, crews will begin prepping the area for the installation of the tank. These preparations include removing loose native rock, installing anchors that will eventually connect the tank to the underlying bedrock, and adding fill to create a level surface among other activities.

Meanwhile, crews will continue installing underground utility along Linwood Street–requiring a temporary closure of the street. More information included below.

Linwood Street Closure and Detour

Linwood Street will be closed between Poplar Street and McGrath Highway beginning March 4th or soon after.

• Access will be maintained for abutters
• Northbound traffic on Linwood St. will be detoured via McGrath Hwy or Joy St.
• Southbound traffic will be detoured via Joy St.

Please observe posted signage and proceed with caution.

Anticipated Schedule (subject to change):

• Approximate duration of this phase of work is two months.
• Work hours are weekdays between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Construction Impacts:

• Parking restrictions will be in place around work zones. Please observed posted signage.
• Elevated noise levels during work hours,
• Periodic trucking of materials in and out of the work zone.

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

City contractors will begin installation of underground utilities within the roadways around the Brickbottom neighborhood starting October 30th or soon after.

Linwood Street will be closed between Poplar Street and McGrath Highway beginning October 30th for approximately two months.

• Access will be maintained for abutters

• Northbound traffic on Linwood St. will be detoured via McGrath Hwy or Joy St.

  • Please observe posted signage and proceed with caution

Anticipated Schedule (subject to change):

• Approximate duration of this phase of work is two months.

• Work hours are weekdays between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Construction Impacts:

• Parking restrictions will be in place around work zones

  • Please observe posted signage

• Elevated noise levels during work hours

• Periodic trucking of materials in and out of the work zone

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

City contractors have begun preliminary work at the 10 Poplar St. site. This initial phase of work consists primarily of readying the site for future excavation.

Anticipated Work Schedule (subject to change):

Construction is expected to take place weekdays, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Initial Locations and Descriptions of Work:

• Removal of asphalt and concrete surfaces within 10 Poplar Street site.
• Installation of fencing along 10 Poplar St/Linwood Street site-perimeter.
  • Includes erosion and sediment control around the work zone.
• Soil characterization and excavation prep.

Anticipated Construction Impacts:

• Periodic elevated noise levels (construction hours, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. only).
• Some on-street parking may be restricted. Please observe posted signage.
• Trash/recycling pick-ups and deliveries will not be affected.

As the project progresses additional information on progress and upcoming construction activities will be made available on this page.

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

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Sign up for city alerts to receive notification of construction in your neighborhood, snow emergencies and more at Somervillema.gov/alerts.

When? Monday, March 27, at 6:00 p.m.

Please join us for a virtual community meeting to learn more about construction of the Poplar St. Pump Station.

Topics to be covered include:

• Intro to City and regional drainage issues
• Review of how the project benefits the community
• Overview of the construction process and timeline
  
  

Register to attend: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_pNwWLvybT26olnb5QK-ovA

Meeting information also available in the following languages:

• Español
• Portugues
• Kreyòl Ayisyen
• नेपाली
• 简体中文
• Traditional Chinese

The City of Somerville may be able to provide you with an interpreter for free. To request an interpreter in your language, please contact the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somervillema.gov/ContactSomerviva or call 311 (617-666-3311)

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 ext. 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.