Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project

Beginning on or around Monday, July 29th, 2024, the City’s Spring Hill contractor will begin upgrading the signalized intersections at Central Street and Summer Street, and School Street and Summer Street.

New standardized signals will be installed with new emergency vehicle pre-emption equipment (equipment that prioritizes getting emergency vehicles through intersections as efficiently and safely as possible).

What is happening?

The existing, aging signal infrastructure will be dismantled and stop signs will be installed as a temporary measure to control and maintain traffic during these signal upgrades. We anticipate this work to occur over the next four weeks

Now that Central Street has become a one-way northbound street (between Summer St. and Highland Ave), along with the current one-way condition of School Street, each of these intersections will become 3-way stops while under construction. Illustrations of each of these temporary configurations is included below.

Signage will be in place to alert people traveling through the neighborhood to the change in condition.

Summer St. at Central St. - Temporary Configuration

Summer St. at School St. - Temporary Configuration

Construction Impacts

• Periodic lane shifts and/or detours to accommodate the work to upgrade the signals.

• Parking restrictions may be in place near intersections to facilitate this work.

  • Please observe posted signage.

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

Following the conversion of Central Street to one-way northbound travel and the first stretch of interim paving of Highland Avenue. City contractors are nearing completion of the final underground utility work (lower Summer Street) of the project and continuing work on streetscapes around the neighborhood.

Underground Utility Improvements

Over the coming weeks, City contractors will be actively working on utility upgrades on lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.). Meanwhile, Eversource gas contractors continue their work on Highland Avenue. Additional information on each of these efforts is included below.

• Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.) - Installation of new sewer and drainage utilities is complete. Work to complete installation of the new water main is expected to be finished within the next 2-3 weeks.

  • Once the new water main is fully installed, crews will install water services (connections between individual properties and the new water main) between Bow and School Streets. This work is expected to continue through August.

• Highland Ave. (Central St. to School St.) - Eversource Gas installation of new gas utilities is currently underway.

  • Eversource has completed installation of the new gas main. Crews are now working on installing new services (connections between individuals properties and the new gas main).

    • This work is expected to continue through mid-August requiring eastbound traffic on Highland Ave. to be detoured via Central St. and Medford St.

  • Once work is complete, preparation will begin for partial, interim paving of Highland Avenue between Benton Road and School Street.

Streetscape Construction Activities

Crews have worked throughout the spring and early summer to set new curbing and reconstruct sidewalks along School Street. Following completion of new sidewalks on School Street, crews will turn their attention to reconstructing Central Street with new sidewalks and a cycle track in each direction.

Meanwhile crews will be restoring sidewalks affected by previous utility work on Highland Avenue between School St. and McGrath Hwy and preparing Summer Street for final paving. More details on all of these efforts below.

• School Street (Highland Ave to Summer Street) - Sidewalk reconstruction work on School Street is expected to be complete within the next 1-2 weeks.

  • Final paving on School Street will take place later this year. Residents will be notified via flyer and city alert.

• Central Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.) - Following the completion of sidewalk work on School Street, crews will turn their attention to Central Street.

  • Beginning the week of 7/22 or soon after, crews will begin setting the new curb line and constructing new sidewalks and cycle tracks.

• Highland Avenue (McGrath Hwy to School St.) - Following interim paving, crews will be working to restore any segments of sidewalk that were previously excavated during utility work.

  • Striping of the newly paved roadway and repainting of the crosswalks is also expected in the next approximately 2 weeks. (Temporary markings are currently in place.)

• Summer Street (School St. to Spring St.) - Now that trees have been planted and the new irrigation system is nearly complete, crews are working to prepare the new westbound bike lane for final paving.

  • Westbound bike lane - Expected installation of final layer of asphalt in early-August.

  • Summer Street roadway - Final paving on Summer Street will take place this fall. Residents will be notified via flyer and city alert.

    • Prior to final paving crews will remove traffic signals at the intersection of Central Street and Summer Street and replace it with a 3-way stop-sign controlled intersection. Additional notification will be provided to the neighborhood ahead of this change.

Schedule and Construction Impacts

• Work hours for both streetscape and utility activities are weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

• Traffic Management - Temporary detours and street closures will be required during work hours.

  • Access will be maintained for residents at all times.

    • If access to your home is temporarily blocked, on-site crews are available to assist by moving signage, equipment, temporary plating trenches, etc.

    • Any temporary restrictions to driveway access will be communicated to individual properties by contractors in advance.

• Parking Restrictions - On-street parking may be temporarily restricted around work zones during construction.

  • Please observe posted signage.

Have questions?

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

Weather permitting, beginning Wednesday, July 10 at 8 p.m. the City of Somerville’s contractor, D&R Paving will undertake the first of two mobilizations for paving the two travel lanes (approximately 28-feet wide) of Highland Avenue between McGrath Hwy and Benton Road. This first mobilization will cover the segment of roadway between McGrath Hwy and School Street.

A second Highland Avenue paving mobilization is expected to take place later this summer, upon completion of Eversource’s Gas Main Upgrade project on Highland Avenue (Central St. to School St.). This second mobilization will cover the segment of roadway between School Street and Benton Road.

This partial paving, which does not include the parking areas next to the curbs, is intended to restore the road surface travel areas. This is an interim measure to support safe travel for all users of the road until the full redesign and reconstruction of Highland Avenue.

Mobilization #1 - Anticipated Schedule

Paving will take place overnight:

• beginning Wednesday, July 10 at approximately 8 p.m.

• ending Thursday, July 11 at approximately 7 a.m.

Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Motor Vehicle Detour

During paving operations, Highland Avenue will be closed to motor vehicle traffic in both directions.

• Pedestrian access will be maintained via both sidewalks.

Other Construction Impacts

• On-street parking will be restricted during construction. Please observe posted signage
• Access to driveways on Highland Ave. between School and McGrath will temporarily be restricted during paving.
• Onsite crews are available and may be able to help you get in and out of your driveway if needed.
• Access will be maintained for MBTA buses and emergency vehicles at all times.
• 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 work to improve our city’s infrastructure.

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

Update 7/3: Weather permitting, paving of Highland Avenue (mobilization #1 - McGrath Highway to School Street) will take place overnight on Wednesday (7/10) beginning at approximately 8 p.m., and ending at approximately 7 a.m. on Thursday (7/11)

More details including a full detour map will be available shortly and posted on this page.

City contractors will be paving the two travel lanes of the roadway (approximately 28-feet wide) along Highland Avenue between McGrath Highway and Benton Road.

This partial paving, which does not include the parking areas next to the curbs, is intended to restore the road surface travel areas. This is an interim measure to support safe travel for all users of the road until the full redesign and reconstruction of Highland Avenue.

Preparations for paving are currently underway. A description of operations and our anticipated scheduled is included below.

Paving Plan

Contractors will be paving this segment of Highland Avenue in two mobilizations.

• Mobilization 1 - Highland Avenue between McGrath Highway and School Street. ‘

• Mobilization 2 - Highland Avenue between School Street and Benton Road

Paving Schedule

Each mobilization will involve two phases of work:

• Preparing for paving

  • milling (removing the top few layers of asphalt) of the roadway and installing temporary asphalt

  • adjusting castings (raising/lower the coverings/tops of inground utility access points such as manhole covers)

• Paving

  • Installing a new roadway surface (two travel lanes of the roadway, approximately 28-feet wide)

Mobilization #1 (McGrath to School) Schedule

• Preparation for paving - Beginning week of 6/24 and continuing through early July

• Paving

  • Expected to take place mid-July;

    • additional notification and information will be provided to the neighborhood once date is confirmed

  • Paving is not expected to take more than 1-2 days.

Mobilization #2 (School to Benton) Schedule

• Currently expected to take place later this summer, upon completion of Eversource’s Gas Main Upgrade project on Highland Avenue (Central St. to School St.)

  • Additional notification will be provided prior to this mobilization.

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

Weather permitting, city contractors will execute plans to convert the segment of Central Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue to become a permanently one-way northbound street for vehicle traffic.

Initial Phase of Central Street Construction

During the initial phase construction, Central Street will be closed during work hours (typically weekdays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.) until the first layer of asphalt is installed. Access will be retained for residents and notification will be provided prior to paving.

Please observe all posted signage and parking restrictions.

• Monday-Thursday (6/17-6/20)- Grading of the street and other preparation for paving

• Friday (6/21) – Paving of preliminary binder course of asphalt

Week of 6/17 - Central Street Northbound Detour

While Central Street is closed during work hours, northbound traffic will be detoured west on Summer Street and north on Lowell Street before connecting with Highland Avenue.

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

Preliminary Traffic Impact Analysis (Central Street and Surrounding Neighborhood)

During the design phase of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project, the City made the decision, informed by community process, to convert Central Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue to a one-way street for northbound motor vehicle traffic. This new design will create safer conditions for all users of the road.

As this change to Central Street goes into effect (currently anticipated for 6/17), the City’s Mobility Division has prepared a summary of the City’s analysis of the traffic impacts of this change, particularly on Benton Road, and an outline of our process and potential alternatives as we move forward.

Central Street One-Way Conversion Analysis

Update 5/23: This change is now expected to go into effect the week of June 17th or soon after.

Beginning on Monday, June 10 or soon after, the segment of Central Street between Summer Street and Highland Avenue will become a permanently one-way northbound street for vehicle traffic.

Over the summer and fall, construction crews will be working to

• construct a new 12-foot-wide travel lane

• install sidewalk-level cycle tracks in each direction

• prepare tree pits for new plantings

• and deliver additional streetscape improvements.

This work follows the installation of new water, sewer, and drainage utilities along the same stretch of Central Street last fall.

About the Conversion to One-Way

City contractors will install required signage associated with this change prior to implementation. Variable message boards will also be placed at key points along Central Street and Highland Avenue to alert people to change in traffic pattern.

During the initial phase construction, Central Street will be closed during work hours (typically weekdays, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.) until the first layer of asphalt is installed. Access will be retained for residents and notification will be provided prior to paving. Afterwards, the roadway will reopen during normal business hours while construction continues.

Emergency services and other City Operations were consulted during the design process and have been notified of the implementation timeline.

Parking will no longer be permitted on the odd-numbered side of the road.

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

Spring Community Meeting

Eversource Electric contractors are working to repair electrical utilities along Highland Avenue (School St. to McGrath Hwy). These repairs are essential and required to restore regular electrical service to locations on the easternmost end of Highland Avenue.

Affected residences are currently being provided electrical service via generators while repair work is underway.

Work is expected to continue through the week. Given the essential nature of the repairs, work may be permitted outside of typical construction hours and on weekends.

Tentative Schedule (subject to change):

• Wed-Sat (5/1-5/3) - 7 a.m. - 10 p.m.

• Sunday (5/5) - no work scheduled

• Mon-Fri (5/6-5/10) - 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.

Temporary detours and parking restrictions will be in place. Please observe posted signage.

This work is not part of the City’s Spring Hill Sewer Separation project or Eversource Gas’ ongoing gas main replacement project currently underway. City’s contractors, working as part of the Spring HIll Sewer Separation have paused work on Highland Avenue to allow repairs to proceed. Eversource Gas contractors are continuing work on Highland Avenue west of Central Street.

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

Construction Update

Work hours for both streetscape and utility activities are weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change

Streetscape Construction Activities

• Summer Street (School St. to Spring St.)- Crews are expected to complete installation of new sidewalks along Summer Street this week.
  • Some work will continue on Summer Street as crews prepare for spring plantings and continue work on green stormwater infrastructure.
  • Final paving on Summer Street will take place this summer. Residents will be notified via flyer and city alert prior to that work taking place.
• School Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.)- Sidewalk reconstruction work on school street is now underway and will continue over the coming weeks.
  • Final paving on School Street will take place this summer. Residents will be notified via flyer and city alert prior to that work taking place.

Underground Utility Improvements

• Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.) - Installation of new drainage and sewer utilities is currently underway and expected to continue into the summer months.
• Highland Avenue (Walnut St. to Thorpe St.)- Installation of new water, drainage and sewer utilities along this stretch of Highland Avenue is currently underway and will continue for the next ~ 3 weeks.
  • Crews are currently working to complete installation of new water mains and will soon turn to installation new water service (connections between individual properties and the new water mains.
• Highland Ave. (Benton Rd. to School St.)- Eversource Gas installation of new gas utilities is currently underway.
  • This work is expected to continue through the Spring, requiring eastbound traffic on Highland Ave. to be detoured via Central St. and Medford St.

Construction Impacts

• Traffic Management - Temporary detours and street closures will be required during work hours.

  • Access will be maintained for residents at all times.

    • If access to your home is temporarily blocked, on-site crews are available to assist by moving signage, equipment, temporary plating trenches, etc.

    • Any temporary restrictions to driveway access will be communicated to individual properties by contractors in advance.

• Parking Restrictions - On-street parking may be temporarily restricted around work zones during construction.

  • Please observe posted signage.

Have questions?

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

With warmer weather on the horizon, crews are preparing to begin work on streetscape improvements across the Spring Hill neighborhood.

Work hours for both streetscape and utility activities are weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. All work is weather dependent and schedules are subject to change.

Initial Streetscape Construction Activities Beginning Soon

• Summer Street (School St. to Spring St.) - Crews will pick-up where they left off last year and begin installing new sidewalks and irrigation on the odd numbered side of the street.

  • Construction of the new westbound bike lane is also expected to begin in the coming weeks.

• Avon Street - Installation of new green stormwater infrastructure to start week of 3/24

• School Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.) - Sidewalk reconstruction work is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

Underground Utility Improvements

• Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.) - Installation of new drainage and sewer utilities is currently underway.

• Highland Ave. (Walnut St. to Thorpe St.) - Installation of new water, drainage and sewer utilities to begin in the coming weeks.

• Highland Ave. (Benton Rd. to School St.) - Eversource Gas installation of new gas utilities is currently underway.

  • This work is expected to continue through the Spring, requiring eastbound traffic on Highland Ave. to be detoured via Central St. and Medford St.

    • Starting Monday 3/18 - Work hours for this work shift to weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Construction Impacts

• Traffic Management - Temporary detours and street closures will be required during work hours.

  • Access will be maintained for residents at all times.

    • If access to your home is temporarily blocked, on-site crews are available to assist by moving signage, equipment, temporary plating trenches, etc.

    • Any temporary restrictions to driveway access will be communicated to individual properties by contractors in advance.

• Parking Restrictions - On-street parking may be temporarily restricted around work zones during construction.

  • Please observe posted signage.

Have questions?

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