Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project
Largely developed during the 19th century, Spring Hill is served by a combined sewer system that collects both wastewater and stormwater runoff in the same pipes. The City is currently working to upgrade these systems by installing new storm drains that separate stormwater from the existing combined sewer. This measure is one in a series of actions the City is undertaking to reduce water pollution, mitigate flooding, and ultimately modernize our infrastructure.
In addition to the installation of a modern, separate sewer system, the project includes:
Green stormwater infrastructure
185 new trees planted by the Urban Forestry Division
Improvements toContinue reading
Largely developed during the 19th century, Spring Hill is served by a combined sewer system that collects both wastewater and stormwater runoff in the same pipes. The City is currently working to upgrade these systems by installing new storm drains that separate stormwater from the existing combined sewer. This measure is one in a series of actions the City is undertaking to reduce water pollution, mitigate flooding, and ultimately modernize our infrastructure.
In addition to the installation of a modern, separate sewer system, the project includes:
Green stormwater infrastructure
185 new trees planted by the Urban Forestry Division
Improvements to the streetscape
If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.
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Week of 10/15 - Lower Summer Sidewalk Reconstruction Begins and Preparation for Paving Continues
Share Week of 10/15 - Lower Summer Sidewalk Reconstruction Begins and Preparation for Paving Continues on Facebook Share Week of 10/15 - Lower Summer Sidewalk Reconstruction Begins and Preparation for Paving Continues on Twitter Share Week of 10/15 - Lower Summer Sidewalk Reconstruction Begins and Preparation for Paving Continues on Linkedin Email Week of 10/15 - Lower Summer Sidewalk Reconstruction Begins and Preparation for Paving Continues linkFollowing 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.
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Upper Summer St. (School St. to Spring St.), Westwood Rd., Avon St., Berkeley St, Paving Update
Share Upper Summer St. (School St. to Spring St.), Westwood Rd., Avon St., Berkeley St, Paving Update on Facebook Share Upper Summer St. (School St. to Spring St.), Westwood Rd., Avon St., Berkeley St, Paving Update on Twitter Share Upper Summer St. (School St. to Spring St.), Westwood Rd., Avon St., Berkeley St, Paving Update on Linkedin Email Upper Summer St. (School St. to Spring St.), Westwood Rd., Avon St., Berkeley St, Paving Update linkIf you’re interested in work currently ongoing on Central Street (week of 10/7), please see our previous update here.
Over the coming weeks (beginning 10/8 or soon after), crews will work to prepare upper Summer Street (School St. to Spring St.), Westwood Road, Avon Street, and Berkeley Street for final paving. Preparation will consist primarily of adjusting castings (manhole covers and other in ground structures within the roadway) to their final height.
Paving Schedule (subject to change due to weather or other factors):
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.
Construction Impacts:
- Periodic road closures and detours will be in place during work.
- Temporary parking restrictions on affected streets.
- Please observe posted signage.
- On days when paving is underway, access to driveways along the impact stretch of roadway may be temporarily restricted.
- Additional notification will be provided.
Thank you for your ongoing patience and understanding as we continue to move toward completion on this project. Paving the streets above represents a major project milestone.
Final paving on remaining project streets including lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.), Oxford Street, Hersey Street, Gibbens Street, and Cambria Street will take place in spring/summer 2025.
If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.
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Week of 10/7 - Construction Update
Share Week of 10/7 - Construction Update on Facebook Share Week of 10/7 - Construction Update on Twitter Share Week of 10/7 - Construction Update on Linkedin Email Week of 10/7 - Construction Update linkFollowing last week's preliminary paving of lower Summer Street (School Street to Bow Street), crews will working on curb installation on the western (even-numbered side) of Central Street and performing surface restoration work on Westwood Road and Berkeley Street.
Central Street West Side Curb Installation - Begins Mon. Oct 7 or Soon After
While curbing is being installed, access to/from Central Street from Westwood Rd., Cambria St., and Gibbens St. will be restricted 24 hours a day during this phase of work. This condition is expected to be in place for approximately two weeks.
- to retain access for residents, their visitors, deliveries, etc. affected streets will allow two-way traffic during this period.
- All vehicles arriving to and leaving affected streets should do so via Benton Road.
- Emergency services and trash/recycling pickup services have been notified of the temporary condition.
Westwood Road and Berkeley Street - Milling and Trench Restoration Paving
Weather permitting, City contractors will mill (remove the top layers of existing asphalt) and repave the utility trenches where underground work took place earlier on Westwood Road and Berkeley Street.
This surface restoration is being undertaken in preparation for final paving of the streets later this fall.
Tentative Schedule
- Westwood Road - Monday, October 7, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Berkeley Street - Tuesday - Wednesday, October 8-9, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Construction Impacts
- Access to your driveway may be temporarily restricted while asphalt cures/dries
- Pedestrian access will be maintained via both sidewalks at all times.
- Access will be retained for emergency vehicles at all times.
- Temporary parking restrictions will be in place. Please observe posted signage.
On-site crews and police details are available to help, if you need assistance 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.
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Lower Summer Street (~ School St. to Bow St.) Paving Friday, October 4, 7 am – 5 pm
Share Lower Summer Street (~ School St. to Bow St.) Paving Friday, October 4, 7 am – 5 pm on Facebook Share Lower Summer Street (~ School St. to Bow St.) Paving Friday, October 4, 7 am – 5 pm on Twitter Share Lower Summer Street (~ School St. to Bow St.) Paving Friday, October 4, 7 am – 5 pm on Linkedin Email Lower Summer Street (~ School St. to Bow St.) Paving Friday, October 4, 7 am – 5 pm linkUpdate: This work has been rescheduled to Friday, October 4, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Later this week City contactors will pave Summer Street between approximately School Street and Bow Street.
Schedule and Limits of Work
Weather permitting, work is expected to take place on Thursday, October 3 between 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Paving of the roadway (with a preliminary binder course of asphalt from curb-to-curb) on Summer Street between
- #81 Summer Street – Western Limit
- Bow Street – Eastern Limit
What to Expect/Construction Impacts
- Access to driveways along this section of Summer Street may be temporarily restricted while the asphalt cures/dries
- Temporary streets closures will be required during work.
- Detour signage will be in place to help people navigate around the work zones
- Sidewalks in both directions will remain open during this phase of work.
- Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all times
- Temporary parking restrictions will be in place.
- Please observe posted signage.
After paving is complete, crews will begin reconstructing sidewalks on the south side of this portion of Summer Street.
If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400.
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Lower Summer Street (Bow Street to School Street) Update - Sept 16
Share Lower Summer Street (Bow Street to School Street) Update - Sept 16 on Facebook Share Lower Summer Street (Bow Street to School Street) Update - Sept 16 on Twitter Share Lower Summer Street (Bow Street to School Street) Update - Sept 16 on Linkedin Email Lower Summer Street (Bow Street to School Street) Update - Sept 16 linkLast week crews completed the installation of new water utilities along lower Summer Street. This follows installation of new gas, sewer, and drainage utilities and represents the last major piece of underground utility work on this portion of Summer Street.
Over the coming weeks, crews will begin restoring the roadway surface and preparing to install streetscape improvements such as new sidewalks and traffic calming interventions.
What to Expect - (Remainder of Fall)
Week of 9/16 - Removing castings (covers of manholes and other in-ground structures) to prep for roadway milling (removing the first few layers of existing asphalt)
Week of 9/23 - Milling of the roadway in preparation for preliminary paving (curb-to-curb)
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Week of 9/30 - Paving of an initial binder course of asphalt to restore the roadway surface curb-to-curb
Additional notification provided to residents prior to paving
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Remainder of fall - After paving crews will begin excavating and reconstructing sidewalks on the south side of street
Additional notification provided to residents prior to sidewalk work near their homes.
Work hours are weekdays approximately 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. All schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors.
Constructions Impacts
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Temporary parking restrictions will be in place during work.
Please observe posted signage
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Temporary road closures and detours during work.
Access will be retained for local residents at all times with some exceptions for select paving operations for which additional notification will take place.
Moving Forward (Spring ‘25)
Crews will work throughout the fall as weather allows, prior to breaking for the winter season.
Next spring crews will work on remaining streetscape improvements including:
Continuing to install new sidewalk on both side of the street
New westbound cycle track
Raised crosswalks, speed humps, and other traffic calming
Green stormwater infrastructure
Final paving of the roadway
If you have questions about this work, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 x 5400.
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Highland Ave. (School Street to Benton Road) Paving - Sept. 15-16, Overnight
Share Highland Ave. (School Street to Benton Road) Paving - Sept. 15-16, Overnight on Facebook Share Highland Ave. (School Street to Benton Road) Paving - Sept. 15-16, Overnight on Twitter Share Highland Ave. (School Street to Benton Road) Paving - Sept. 15-16, Overnight on Linkedin Email Highland Ave. (School Street to Benton Road) Paving - Sept. 15-16, Overnight linkWeather permitting, beginning Sunday, September 15 at 8 p.m. the City of Somerville’s contractor, D&R Paving will pave the two travel lanes (approximately 28-feet wide) of Highland Avenue between School Street and Benton Road.
(This update focuses exclusively on paving along Highland Avenue. For more on work happening elsewhere in the neighborhood, see previous update.)
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.
Anticipated Schedule:
Paving will take place overnight:
beginning Sunday, September 15, at approximately 8 p.m.
ending Monday, September 16 at approximately 7 a.m.
Street paint and pavement markings will take place in the weeks following paving.
Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors.
Highland Ave. Road Closure
During paving operations, Highland Avenue will be closed to motor vehicle traffic in both directions.
- Detour signage will be in place for motor vehicle traffic.
- Pedestrian access will be maintained via both sidewalks.
- Access will be maintained for MBTA buses and emergency vehicles at all times.
Other Construction Impacts
- On-street parking will be restricted during construction.
- Please observe posted signage.
- Some elevated noise levels typical of construction
- Access to driveways on Highland Ave. between School Street and Benton Road will temporarily be restricted during paving.
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 streets.
If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions.
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August Construction Update
Share August Construction Update on Facebook Share August Construction Update on Twitter Share August Construction Update on Linkedin Email August Construction Update linkAs we prepare to pave the second stretch of Highland Avenue (School Street to Benton Road), work continues elsewhere in the neighborhood. (See subsequent update for more on Highland Ave. paving plans).
More information about ongoing/remaining work can be found below.
If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division 617-625-6600 ext. 5400.
Underground Utility Improvements
Over the coming weeks, City contractors will finish work on utility upgrades on lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.).
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Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.) - Installation of new sewer, drainage, and water utilities is complete.
Crews are now working to install the final remaining water services (connections between individual properties and the new water main) between Bow and School Streets. This work is expected to be completed within 2-3 weeks.
This work is the final piece of major subsurface utility improvements within the project. Following completion of utility improvements, crews will begin preliminary work to restore and improve the streetscape on lower Summer Street (School St. to Bow St.)
Streetscape Construction Activities
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Central Street (Summer St. to Highland Ave.) - Crews are actively working to build new sidewalks and cycle tracks along the new one-way (northbound toward Highland Avenue) Central Street. This work is expected to continue through the fall.
Crews are finishing installation of new sidewalks on the east side of the street and setting new curb on the west side. Construction of new cycle tracks with cobble buffers is also underway.
Installation of new raised crossings at the intersections of Central Street/Oxford Street and Central Street/Berkeley Street is expected to take place in the next 1-2 weeks.
School Street (Highland Ave to Summer Street) - Final paving on School Street is expected to take place later this year. Residents will be notified via flyer and city alert.
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Summer Street (School St. to Spring St.) - Final streetscape improvements are underway on Summer Street ahead of final paving later this fall (notification will be provided ahead of paving).
Traffic signal work at the intersections of Summer Street/School Street and Summer Street/Central is currently underway.
Westbound bike lane - The bike lane has been paved, but remains closed until pavement markings are installed. This work is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
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.
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Traffic Management - Temporary detours and street closures will be required during work hours.
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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.
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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.
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Highland Avenue (School Street to Benton Road) - Interim Partial Paving Preparations, Begin 8/21 or Soon After
Share Highland Avenue (School Street to Benton Road) - Interim Partial Paving Preparations, Begin 8/21 or Soon After on Facebook Share Highland Avenue (School Street to Benton Road) - Interim Partial Paving Preparations, Begin 8/21 or Soon After on Twitter Share Highland Avenue (School Street to Benton Road) - Interim Partial Paving Preparations, Begin 8/21 or Soon After on Linkedin Email Highland Avenue (School Street to Benton Road) - Interim Partial Paving Preparations, Begin 8/21 or Soon After linkUpdate 8/22: The closure of School Street in place yesterday and this morning is expected to continue today through approximately noon after which point crews will reopen School Street to through traffic and proceed west along Highland Ave.
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Weather permitting, beginning Wednesday 8/21 or soon after, City contractors will begin preparations for a second stretch of paving along Highland Avenue. This second paving operation will cover the stretch 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.
This work will require eastbound traffic on Highland Avenue to be detoured during work hours.
All businesses will remain open and accessible during construction.
More information, including an anticipated schedule of activities and full detour map, is included below.
Anticipated Schedule
- Wednesday, 8/21 through Wednesday, 8/28
- installing temporary asphalt to repair areas where excavation took place previously
- milling (removing the top few layers of asphalt) the roadway in preparation for paving
- Thursday, 8/29 through early September
- Adjust castings (manhole covers and other in-ground structures) to final height for paving
- Early to mid-September
- Paving of the road’s travel areas
- Overnight paving expected, additional notification will be provided once the date is finalized
- Paving of the road’s travel areas
Work hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. All schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors.
Eastbound Detour and Other Construction Impacts
During preparations for paving, Highland Avenue will be closed to eastbound vehicle traffic between Benton Road and School Street to facilitate work.
Eastbound Traffic Detour (Work Hours, Weekdays 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.)
Eastbound traffic on Highland Avenue will be detoured north on Lowell Street and east on Medford Street before reconnecting with Highland Avenue.
Westbound travel will be maintained as usual.
Pedestrian and Transit Impacts
Some sidewalk access may be restricted at times. At least one sidewalk will remain open at all times.
MBTA buses and emergency vehicles will be allowed to proceed in both directions.
If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at 617-625-6600 ext. 5400.
- Wednesday, 8/21 through Wednesday, 8/28
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RESCHEDULED to Monday 8/19 - Summer Street Westbound Bike Lane Paving
Share RESCHEDULED to Monday 8/19 - Summer Street Westbound Bike Lane Paving on Facebook Share RESCHEDULED to Monday 8/19 - Summer Street Westbound Bike Lane Paving on Twitter Share RESCHEDULED to Monday 8/19 - Summer Street Westbound Bike Lane Paving on Linkedin Email RESCHEDULED to Monday 8/19 - Summer Street Westbound Bike Lane Paving linkUpdate 8/14: This work has been rescheduled and is now expected to take place on Monday, August 19.
Weather permitting, the City of Somerville’s General Contractor, P. Gioioso & Sons Inc. will install a final layer of asphalt on Summer Street’s westbound bicycle lane between School Street and Spring Street on Friday, August 16 between approximately 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Final paving of the remainder of the roadway is expected to take place this fall.
Following final paving of the rest of the roadway, the bicycle lane will be completed with high-friction green paint/markings.
Construction impacts:
- Access to driveways on the odd-numbered side of the street will be temporarily restricted while the asphalt cures/dries
- Asphalt is expected to be dry by approximately 5 p.m. on the day of installation.
- On-street parking will be restricted during construction.
- Please observe posted signage.
- Periodic road closure during paving.
- Access will be maintained for residents.
- Trash/recycling pickups 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 with questions.
- Access to driveways on the odd-numbered side of the street will be temporarily restricted while the asphalt cures/dries
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Summer Street Traffic Signal Upgrades - Begin 7/29 or Soon After
Share Summer Street Traffic Signal Upgrades - Begin 7/29 or Soon After on Facebook Share Summer Street Traffic Signal Upgrades - Begin 7/29 or Soon After on Twitter Share Summer Street Traffic Signal Upgrades - Begin 7/29 or Soon After on Linkedin Email Summer Street Traffic Signal Upgrades - Begin 7/29 or Soon After linkBeginning 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 ConfigurationConstruction Impacts
Periodic lane shifts and/or detours to accommodate the work to upgrade the signals.
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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.
Key Dates
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May 15 2024
Who's listening
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Email damelin@somervillema.gov -
Phone 617-981-2896 Email jmoos@somervillema.gov
Anticipated Timeline
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Spring/Summer/Fall 2022
Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project has finished this stageCity Underground Utility Work
- Summer Street (Bow St. to Central St.)
- Avon Street, Central Street, Westwood Rd.
Eversource Gas Utility Work
- Summer Street - Resuming work that started in 2020 (Bow St. to School St.)
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Winter 2023
Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project has finished this stageCity Underground Utility Work
- Highland Ave. (Central St. to School St.), Berkeley St., Oxford St., Cambria St.
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Spring/Summer/Fall 2023
Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project has finished this stageCity Underground Utility Work
- Westwood Rd., Berkeley St., Cambria St., School St. Gibbens St., Oxford St., Highland Ave
Surface & Streetscape Restoration
Summer Street, Avon Street, Central Street
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2024
Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project is currently at this stageAnticipated Completion
- Expected substantial underground completion for all underground work project wide.
- Expected substantial streetscape completion (includes final paving) on
- Upper Summer Street (School Street to Spring Street)
- Berkeley Street
- Avon Street.
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2025
this is an upcoming stage for Spring Hill Sewer Separation ProjectAnticipated Completion
- Final completion including paving on all remaining streets
Community Presentations Videos
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Click here to play video Spring Hill Sewer Separation Spring Community Meeting - 5.15.24
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Click here to play video Spring Hill Sewer Separation Fall Community Meeting - 11.13.23
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Click here to play video Spring Hill Sewer Separation - Spring Community Meeting 4.10.23
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Click here to play video Spring Hill Sewer Separation Virtual Community Meeting - 11.09.22
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Click here to play video Spring Hill Sewer Separation Community Meeting 04.06.2022