Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project

On Tuesday, June, 3, between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., crews will pave Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, Cambria Street and Central Street (Summer Street to Highland Avenue.)

Traffic detours and parking restrictions will be in place. People driving are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Paving Plan and Locations of Work

Tuesday’s paving will be conducted in three sequential phases as outlined below. Crews will finish paving each phase before moving onto the next.

• Phase 1 - Oxford Street and Hersey Street
• Phase 2 - Gibbens Street and Cambria Street
• Phase 3 - Central Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue

After crews complete work on any given phase, the affected stretch of roadway will remain closed until crews determine the asphalt is sufficiently cooled to reopen (estimated approximately 4 hours after paving is completed).

All schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors. Additional notification will be provided should work need to be rescheduled to another date.

Road Closures and Construction Impacts

• Oxford, Hersey, Gibbens, and Central (Highland to Summer) will be closed to motor vehicle and cyclist traffic during paving and while the asphalt cools.
  • Sidewalks in both directions will remain open during paving
  • Access will be retained for emergency vehicles at all times.
  • Summer Street, School Street, and Benton Road will remain open as usual.
• 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.

On-site crews and police details are available to help and may be able to assist you in getting to/from your home while work is underway.

After paving is complete and asphalt is sufficiently cooled, crews will reopen the roadway to traffic in both directions. Paving is expected to be complete and all affected streets reopened to traffic by the end of the day.

Pavement markings/striping will follow paving over coming weeks.

What’s Next?

This is the first of two rounds of final paving as we move toward substantial completion of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project. The second round of paving is expected to take place in late June and will include School Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.), and Summer Street (School Street to Bow Street).

Questions

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

Planting new trees along Central Street in advance of paving

Cambria Street milled and ready to be paved.

The first of two rounds of final paving around Spring Hill is fast approaching. One day during the week of June 2, City contractors expect to pave the following streets:

• Central Street (Summer Street to Highland Avenue)
• Gibbens Street
• Cambria Street
• Oxford Street
• Hersey Street

Once the specific date of paving is confirmed, residents will receive notification via flyer and city alert. Details about the paving operation will also be available on this webpage.

Road closures and parking restrictions will be in place throughout the neighborhood to support paving. Please observe posted signage.

Week of 5/26 - Preparation for Paving and Work on Lower Summer

Following the Memorial Day holiday, crews will work on the streets listed above to adjust castings (manhole covers and other ground structures within the roadway) to their final height.

Elsewhere in the neighborhood crews continue to work on the new, wider sidewalk on lower Summer Street (School Street to Bow Street) and cycle track along Nunziato Park.

Crews also plan to conclude work to repair and replace existing sewer and water utilities on Walnut Street between Bow Street and Columbus Avenue.

Final Paving on Remaining Project Streets

Paving on School Street (Highland Ave. to Summer Street) and Lower Summer (School Street to Bow Street) is on track for late June. This will also mark substantial completion for the project.

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

New high-friction green paint recently installed on Summer Street's westbound bike lane

Next week City contractors will be painting the westbound bike lane and installing other pavement markings along Summer Street between School Street and Belmont Street.

Work is currently scheduled for Mon.-Fri. May 12-16 between approximately 8 p.m. and 4 a.m. (weather permitting).

Construction impacts:

• Brief periods of elevated noise levels near work zones.
  • Crews are not expected to remain in any one particular location for an extended period of time
• Access to driveways on the westbound (odd-numbered) side of Summer Street (School St. to Belmont Street) may be restricted during work hours.
  • Affected residences will received additional notification via flyer indicating when access bike lane painting will take place on the section intersections their driveway.
• On-street parking will be restricted in areas where pavement marking will take place.
  • Please observed posted signage.
• Temporary detours will be in place on a block-to-block basis along Summer Street.
• Trash/recycling pick-ups and deliveries will not be affected.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience as work toward project completion. For more information, please visit somervillema.gov/springhill

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

As part of preparations for final paving project-wide, contractors have removed temporary asphalt from the cycle track on the western side of Central Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue. Temporary asphalt was used for preliminary paving of the western cycle track last year so that the cycle track would be available throughout the winter season.

Later this month or early next, City contractors will install porous pavement along the cycle track. Porous pavement provides the structural support of conventional pavement but is permeable, enabling stormwater to seep through. Fall/winter temperatures precluded the installation of porous pavement last year.

Porous pavement was installed on eastern cycle track in 2024. As always, if you have any questions about this or any other work around the city email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400.

City contractors are starting to both prepare for final paving in June and install traffic calming (speed humps, raised crossing, etc.) at locations across the project area. Meanwhile work on underground water and sewer utilities continues on Walnut Street.

Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors. Additional notification will be provided prior to final paving of neighborhood streets.

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

Preparation for Paving on School St., Central St., Gibbens St., and Hersey St. - Week of 4/21 and Week of 4/28

• Preparing for final paving on School Street by adding asphalt to low or uneven segments of the roadway
• Milling (removal of top few layers of asphalt) the roadway on Gibbens Street, Cambria Street, and Hersey Street

Raised crossing on Central Street and Speed Humps on Summer Street - Week of 4/21 and Week of 4/28

• Installing speed humps on Summer Street (School Street to Spring Street)
• Constructing raised crossings on Central Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)

Lower Summer Street (School Street to Bow Street) Sidewalk Reconstruction - Currently Underway

• Crews have excavated sidewalks between School Street and Putnam Street on the north/odd-numbered side of the street and will be pouring new concrete on this segment over the coming week (weather permitting) before moving east toward Bow Street.
  • For more on the final plans for lower Summer Street see our previous update here.

Walnut Underground Utility Work - Currently Underway

Crews are working to repair/replace existing sewer and water utilities along Walnut Street between Bow Street and Columbus Avenue.

They have recently completed work in the intersection of Walnut St./Bow St. and are progressing uphill toward Columbus Avenue. This work is expected to continue through May,

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

Work continues on Spring Hill as crews moved toward substantial project completion at the end of June. Below is an overview of ongoing and upcoming work.

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

Ongoing Work

Lower Summer Street - Crews have excavated sidewalks between School Street and Putnam Street on the north/odd-numbered side of the street and expect to pour new concrete on this segment over the next two weeks (weather permitting). For more on the final plans for lower Summer Street see our previous update here.

Once that work is complete, crews will proceed east toward Bow Street.

Walnut Street - Repair and replacement of existing sewer and water utilities on Walnut Street between Bow Street and Columbus Avenue is underway. Crews are currently working at the intersection of Bow Street and Walnut Street and will move up the hill toward Columbus Avenue as work progresses.

Upcoming Work

Traffic calming installations - Beginning the week of 4/22 or soon after, paving crews will return to Spring Hill to begin some of the final traffic calming installations sitewide–including speed humps on upper Summer, raised crossing on School St. and Central Street.

Final paving sitewide - Final paving on all remaining project streets including Central Street, lower Summer Street, School Street, Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street is expected to take place by June of this year.

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

Beginning Thursday, March 27, (weather permitting) City contractors will start rebuilding sidewalks as well as installing a new bike lane and other traffic calming features on the odd-numbered side of Summer Street between School Street and Bow Street.

What to Expect

• Crews will dig up existing, aging concrete sidewalks before installing new ones--starting at School Street and moving east toward Bow Street
  • The width of sidewalks adjacent to Nunziato Park will be increased.
  • A new westbound bike lane will be installed.
  • Installation of curb bump outs at side streets will shorten the distance people need to travel to cross the street.

Parking Reduction on Even-Numbered/South Side (Vinal Ave. to Church St.)

• Widening the sidewalk adjacent to Nunziato Park and adding a new protected bike lane while maintaining two-way vehicle traffic will require approximately 16 parking spots to be removed on the even-numbered side of Summer Street between Church St. and Vinal Ave.
  • Removal of these parking spaces is necessary to provide sufficient space for emergency vehicles and other essential City services.
• Parking will remain as it currently is between School Street and Church Street.

Construction Impacts

• Periodic street closures during work hours and parking restrictions will be in place.
  • Access will be retained for residents. Please observe posted signage.
• Access to your entrance/driveway may be temporarily restricted on the day when new concrete is poured.
  • Additional notification will be provided prior to new concrete being poured in front of home/business.

Final Paving Project-Wide and Substantial Project Completion Expected by End of June

• Final paving on all remaining project streets including Central Street, lower Summer Street, School Street, Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street is expected to take place by June of this year.

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

Milder March weather is allowing crews to continue working in a limited capacity ahead of the spring season. Below is a brief overview of work currently underway and some of what you can expect come spring.

Currently Ongoing Work

• Construction of green stormwater infrastructure at the intersection of Quincy Street and Summer Street
  • Following a brief pause to enable Eversource Gas work, crews will continue work to construct new green stormwater infrastructure at the intersection.
• Drainage improvements continue at Warren Avenue/Sanborn Avenue
  • This work may require temporary road closures and detours.
    • Please observe posted signage.
    • Access will be retained for residents.

Upcoming Work – Late March/Early April

• Walnut Street water and sewer utility rehabilitation
  • Crews will be working to repair and replace existing sewer and water utilities on Walnut Street between Bow Street and Columbus Avenue.
    • Properties along the affected stretch will be connected to utilities via temporary bypass (somervillema.gov/bypass) to ensure they continue to receive service throughout the work.
      • Additional notification will be provided prior to properties being connected via temporary bypass.

      • Some brief interruption of water service may be required during construction (notification will be provided approximately 48 hours in advance.)

• Lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.) sidewalk reconstruction continues
  • Crews are expected to resume streetscape improvements in early April beginning with sidewalk reconstruction on the north/odd-numbered side of the street.

Final Paving Project-Wide Expected by End of June

• Final paving on all remaining project streets including Central Street, lower Summer Street, School Street, Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street is expected to take place by June of this year.

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

Following work at the intersection of Cambria Street and Central Street, crews will begin installing new green stormwater infrastructure near the intersections of

• Prescott Street and Summer Street - Begins week of Feb. 3, expected duration ~3 weeks
• Quincy Street and Summer Street - Follows completion of work at Prescott/Summer

Crews will install a bioretention basin–a landscaped extension of the curb designed to collect, treat, and temporarily store stormwater runoff.

What is green stormwater infrastructure?

Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) systems help Somerville to manage stormwater by mimicking the natural environment and processes. GSI uses natural materials, including soil, plants, and stone to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters the sewer system. This helps prevent pollutants from entering nearby waterways and keeps our environment healthy.

(Newly installed GSI on Avon Street)

Have questions?

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

Thank you

Starting this upcoming week City contractors will return in a reduced capacity to begin completing remaining work as weather permits.

Winter work is expected to include:

Construction of green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) near the intersections of

• Cambria Street at Central Street
• Prescott Street at Summer Street
• Quincy Street at Summer Street

This work is expected to begin during the week of 1/13 or soon after. Work will begin on Cambria Street before proceeding to Prescott Street and then Quincy Street.

Construction impacts include:

• On-street parking restrictions in the immediate vicinity of work zones.
• Periodic road closures during work hours (typically weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
  • Access will be retained for local residents at all times.
  • While work is underway on Cambria Street, the street will become temporarily 2-way from Benton Road to facilitate resident access.

What is Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI)?

GSI uses natural materials, including soil, plants, and stone to reduce the amount of stormwater that enters the sewer system by mimicking the natural environment and infiltration processes. This helps reduce the amount of stormwater that enters the sewer system and prevents pollutants from entering nearby waterways.

(Newly installed GSI on Avon Street)

Rehabilitation of Water and Sewer Utilities on Walnut Street

While not included in the initial scope of the project, further utility investigation determined that the existing sewer and water utilities along Walnut Street were in need of repair to ensure they continue to function as intended.

This work is being prioritized and is currently expected to begin in late February.

Additional information and resident notification will be provided prior to work beginning.

Spring 2025 - Final Streetscape Work and Substantial Completion

This spring crews will return in full capacity to complete final streetscape elements of the project. Substantial project completion is currently anticipated in late June 2025.

This includes all remaining final paving throughout the area. A non-exhaustive list of remaining streetscape work is included below.

Lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.)

• Construction of new sidewalks on northern/odd-numbered side of the street
• Addition of westbound cycle track
• Introduction of pocket park at the intersection of Quincy Street and green stormwater infrastructure
• Final paving of the roadway including pavement marking

Central Street (Summer St. to Highland Avenue)

• Replacement of current temporary asphalt on southbound (toward Summer Street) cycle track with final porous pavement.
• Final paving of the roadway including raised crosswalks

Other project streets

• Final paving of the roadway on School Street, Oxford Street, Hersey, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street.
• Construction of speed humps on Summer Street and School Street
• Remaining Pavement markings/paint installation project-wide including westbound Summer Street cycle track.
• Installation of remaining signage project wide

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