Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project

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.

Crews will work next week (12/16-12/20) on both Summer Street and Central Street, as weather allows, to complete in-progress sidewalk work and other miscellaneous construction items before performing clean-up across the project area.

Following that crews will break for approximately 3 weeks before returning in a reduced capacity in mid-January to complete various winter work.

Crews will return in the spring to complete final streetscape work including final paving on streets project wide.

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

Update 11/25 - This work has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date. Additional notification will be provided once a new date has been set.

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 to take place overnight, beginning Monday, November 25 at 8 p.m. and ending Tuesday, November 26 at 4 a.m. (weather permitting).

Construction impacts:

• Brief periods of elevated noise levels near work zones.
  • Crews will not remain in any one particular location for an extended period of time
• On-street parking will be restricted in areas where pavement marking will take place.
  • Please observed posted signage.
• Access to driveways on the westbound (odd-numbered) side of Summer Street (School St. to Belmont Street) will be restricted during work hours.
  • Affected residences will have received additional notification via flyer.
• 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 we complete work on this section of Summer Street.

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

For information about work currently ongoing on lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.) and Central Street, please see our previous post.

Crews will continue working on streetscape restoration/improvements on both Summer Street and Central Street over the coming weeks, as weather allows, prior to breaking for the winter season.

Summer Street (School Street to ~Spring Street)

• Final signage and pavement markings installation - This work is currently underway and includes painting of the westbound bike (exact date of bike painting tbd).

Summer Street (School Street to Bow Street)

• Sidewalk construction - City contractors are continuing to work on sidewalks on the southern side (even-numbered side) of the street and have installed new concrete from approximately School Street to Quincy Street. They will continue moving eastward toward Bow Street, as weather allows.
  
  
• Raising Castings in Roadway - Crews will raise castings (manhole covers and other in ground structures) to be flush with the current roadway surface
  • Weather permitting this work is expected to begin on Monday 11/18. Once underway we expect it will take ~2-3 days to complete.
    • Block-by-block temporary streets closures will be required during some phases of this work.
    • This work is to help facilitate snow plowing on the street over the winter.
      
      
• Sewer, Drain, and Water Main Video Inspections - City contractors will also be performing video inspections of new underground utilities
  • This work is expected to begin 11/24 and continue up to the Thanksgiving holiday
    • Pipe inspection does not impact your water service.

Central Street (Summer Street to Highland Avenue)

• Crews are currently working to build the cobblestone buffer between the westside cycle track and the new sidewalks. They are also reinstalling historic bricks near the Somerville Museum.
  • This work is currently underway and expected to continue into early December.

Construction Impacts

• Periodic, temporary street closures where work is taking place.
  • These closures may shift from block to block during the course of a single working day.
  • Detour signage will be in place to help people navigate around the work zones
  • Access will be maintained for local residents and emergency vehicles at all times
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place.
  • 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.

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

Late last month, crews successfully paved Avon Street and Berkeley Street. This follows final paving on Summer Street (~School Street to Belmont Street) and Westwood Road the previous week.

Since that point crews have been continuing sidewalk work on Central Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.) and the southern (even-numbered) side of Summer Street (School Street to Bow Street) as well as installing new pavement marking and signage on the recently paved portion of Summer Street.

New roadway paving and green stormwater infrastructure on Avon Street

New center-line striping on final along Summer Street

This work will continue over the coming weeks prior to crews breaking for the winter season.

Spring/Summer 2025

When crews return in the spring they will be working on northern (odd-numbered) side sidewalk reconstruction, the westbound (toward Davis Square) cycle track, raised crossings, a new floating bus stop, green stormwater infrastructure (bioretention basins), a pocket park at the corner of Quincy Street, tree planting, and final roadway paving.

Final paving on all other remaining project streets including Central Street, School Street, Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street will take place in spring/summer 2025.

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

This upcoming week City contractors will pave Avon Street and Berkeley Street as part of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project.

Schedule and Limits of Work

Weather permitting, work is expected to take place on Monday, October 28 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Paving of the roadway from curb to curb along the entirety of Avon Street and Berkeley Street.

What to Expect/Construction Impacts

• Avon Street and Berkeley Street will be closed to traffic in both directions during work.
  • Detour signage will be in place to help people navigate around the work zones
  • Sidewalks in both directions will remain open during paving.
  • Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all times
• Access to driveways on Avon and Berkeley Street will be temporarily restricted while the asphalt cures/dries.
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place.
  • 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, crews will reopen the roadway to traffic in both directions.

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

We’re in the final stretch of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project. Yesterday, Monday, Oct. 21 City contractors successfully paved Summer Street (~School St. to Belmont St.) and Westwood Road.

Below is information on what you can expect over the remainder of the fall season and next spring as we wrap up the streetscape improvement phase of the project.

What’s next for Summer Street?

Pavement Markings and Striping

City contractors will return to install pavement markings and striping on the paved section of roadway in the next 1-2 weeks.

Westbound bike lane

Later this week (expected 10/23 and 10/24), crews will be working to regrade transitions between some driveways and the bike lane along Summer Street.

Following that work, crews will install a specialized high-friction street paint along the bike lane.. This is a critical safety item since pavement markings along the bike lane will call attention to conflict zones where driveways intersect with the bike lane.

The bike lane will remain closed until the two items above are complete.

Speed humps installation

Three speed humps will also be installed along this section of Summer Street to reduce vehicle speeds.

This work is expected to take place later this fall.

Lower Summer Street - Bow Street to School Street

Crews will continue working to build new sidewalks throughout the fall as weather allows.

After breaking for the winter season, crews will return in the spring to complete the remainder of streetscape improvements and perform final paving of the roadway.

Avon Street and Berkeley Street Paving

Final paving of the roadway from curb-to-curb is currently scheduled for Monday, October 28.

Additional notification will be provided as work approaches.

Central Street

Crews will continue to install curbing, rebuild sidewalks, and install the new cycle track on the western side of the street.

This work will continue through the fall as weather allows. After breaking for the winter, crews will return to spring to pave the street.

Remaining Project Streets

Final paving on remaining project streets including Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street will take place in spring/summer 2025.

Questions?

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

On Monday, Oct. 21, between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. crews will pave Summer Street (~Belmont Street to School Street) and Westwood Road (Central Street to Benton Road).

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

Monday’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 - Summer Street between School Street and Laurel Street
• Phase 2 - Westwood Road between Central Street and Benton Road
• Phase 3 - Summer Street between Belmont Street and Laurel Street

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

Construction Impacts

• The affected stretches of Summer Street and Westwood Road 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.
• One-way residential streets off Summer Street including Greene Street, Harvard Street will temporarily allow two way travel to enable resident access while Summer Street is closed.
• Access to driveways along the affected stretches of roadway will be temporarily restricted.
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place throughout the neighborhood.
  • 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 next 1-2 weeks.

Questions

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

On Thursday, Oct. 17, as part of continued preparation for next week’s (10/21) paving on Summer Street (approximately School Street to Spring Street), crews will be raising castings (bringing manhole covers and other in-ground structures within the roadway to their final height) at the intersection of Summer Street, Benton Road, and Harvard Street.

This work will require the intersection of Summer Street and Benton Road/Harvard Street to be closed to through motor vehicle traffic in both directions between approximately 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. This work is expected to be completed in one day.

Please follow posted detour signage and proceed with caution.

Summer Street - Through Traffic

• Westbound traffic (toward Davis Square) will be detoured via Central Street and Highland Avenue.
• Eastbound traffic (toward Union Square) will be detoured via Lowell Street and Highland Avenue.

Access To/From Benton Road and Harvard Street

• Southbound traffic on Benton Road will be required to turn left to travel eastbound on Summer Street.
• Harvard Street will only be accessible by vehicles traveling westbound along Summer Street.

Additional Information

• Sidewalks in both directions will remain open throughout this work.
• Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all times.

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

Following the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday, crews will continue work on Spring Hill as we look ahead toward final paving on Summer Street (Spring Street to School Street) and on other streets around the neighborhood.

Preparation for Paving Continues

Raising Castings on Summer Street

Throughout the week of 10/15 crews will continue to raise castings (bringing manhole covers and other in-ground structures within the roadway to their final height) along Summer Street in anticipation of paving.

Expect parking restrictions and temporary detours to be in place.

Surface Restoration on Berkeley Street

Weather permitting, this upcoming Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16-17 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., City contractors will continue milling (remove the top layers of existing asphalt) and repave the utility trenches where underground work took place earlier on Berkeley Street.

(Work had to be rescheduled from last week due to some malfunctioning equipment.)

This surface restoration is being undertaken in preparation for final paving of the street, currently scheduled for Oct. 28.

Look-Ahead Final Paving Schedule:

Monday, October 21 - Upper Summer Street (School St. to Spring St.) and Westwood Road

• Pavement marking on Summer Street will follow approximately 1-2 weeks after paving

Monday, October 28 - Avon Street and Berkeley Street

Additional notification will be provided to residents via flyer and city alert as work gets closer and schedules are confirmed.

Lower Summer Sidewalk Reconstruction Begins

On or soon after Tuesday, Oct. 15, crews will also begin excavating the existing sidewalk on lower Summer Street between approximately School Street and Bow Street prior to installing new concrete sidewalks.

This work will continue throughout the fall as weather allows.

Questions?

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