Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project

The Spring Hill Sewer Separation project has continued to progress through the winter.

Highland Ave. + Highland Ave./Central St. Intersection Progress and Remaining Work

Highland Ave. water main and services

City contractors are nearing completion on the installation of the new water main along Highland Ave. (School St. to Central St.). One crew will remain on this section of Highland Ave. to complete installation of new water services (connections between new water main and buildings) over the coming weeks.

Highland Ave./Central St. intersection work

Crews are continuing to work on water and drainage utilities in the intersection of Highland Ave. and Central St. This work is currently scheduled to continue for ~3 weeks, weather dependent.

*The above work will require the westbound Highland Ave. and Highland Ave/Central St. intersection detours to remain in place for at least 3 additional weeks.

Utility Work to Begin on School St., Westwood Rd.,Oxford St., and Gibbens St.

Starting the week of 3/6 or soon after, construction crews will begin to prepare for further subsurface utility improvements, beginning on Oxford Street.

Crews will also begin work on School St., Westwood Rd., and Gibbens St. as early as mid- to late-March.

This work is expected to continue through the spring into the summer season. Construction schedules are subject to change, and as such, the City will continue to provide updates to the community should the order of work differ than listed above.

View our latest community presentation for a description of subsurface utility improvements planned on each street.

Next Community Meeting (Spring ‘23)

Stay tuned for information about our next community meeting to be held this spring.

During this meeting, we’ll cover what to expect during the next few months and review upcoming streetscape improvements.

Weather permitting, City contractors will be working this upcoming Saturday (2/18) morning between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to perform necessary water utility work. This work will require the Highland Ave. (School St. to Central St.) Westbound Traffic Detour to remain in place throughout the day. In addition to traffic impacts, this work may cause periods of elevated noise levels.

Water Service Interruption (149, 151, and 153 Highland Ave)

Water service may be interrupted Saturday, February 18, between approximately 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. to facilitate water utility work at the below addresses:

• 149, 151, and 153 Highland Ave

Once the water is back on, you may experience a short period of water discoloration. Though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advised to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, the clothes should not be dried, and you can call 311 (or 617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city) for a free bottle of rust remover.

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

Weather permitting, City contractors will be working this upcoming Thursday (2/2) evening between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. to perform necessary water utility work. This work will require the Highland Ave. (School St. to Central St.) Westbound Traffic Detour to remain in place throughout the evening. In addition to traffic impacts, this work may cause periods of elevated noise levels.

Water Service Interruption

Water service may be interrupted Thursday, February 2, between approximately 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. to facilitate water utility work at the below addresses:

• 97-147 Highland Ave (excluding #135)

Once the water is back on, you may experience a short period of water discoloration. Though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advised to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, the clothes should not be dried, and you can call 311 (or 617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city) for a free bottle of rust remover.

This night work is expected to take one day after which construction crews will return to normal working hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.).

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

Beginning on or around January 3, City contractors will begin working on subsurface utility improvements in the intersection of Highland Ave. and Central St.

While work in the intersection is underway, access to Highland Ave. from Central St. will be restricted (details below).

Eastbound traffic will continue to be able to proceed through the intersection and along Highland Ave. Westbound traffic will continue to be detoured (see previous update).

Highland Ave./Central St. Intersection (South Side Partial Closure)

While construction in the south side of the intersection is underway, there will be no access to Highland Ave. via Central St. northbound during work hours (weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.)

Central St. will remain accessible for residents only. All other traffic will be detoured via Summer St. and Lowell St.

Highland Ave./Central St. Intersection (North Side Partial Closure)

While construction in the north side of the intersection is underway, there will be no access to Highland Ave. via Central St. south bound during work hours (weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.)

Central St. will remain accessible for residents only. All other traffic will be detoured via Medford St. and School St.

Beginning on or around December 12, City contractors will begin working on subsurface utility improvements along Highland Ave.

During this phase of the project, Highland Ave. will be closed to westbound traffic between School St. and Central St. during work hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays). The eastbound travel lane will be maintained as usual.

All businesses will remain open and accessible during construction.

Westbound Detour Route

Westbound traffic will be detoured south on School St. and west on Summer St. before turning right on Lowell St. to return to Highland Ave.

In an effort to accommodate traffic as a result of the detours in the area, the timing of the light at the intersection of Summer St. and School St. will be temporarily adjusted between 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for the duration of the detour.

Pedestrian and Transit Impacts

Sidewalk access for pedestrians may be restricted at times to facilitate construction of new utilities within the sidewalks. Temporary sidewalks will be installed to maintain safe crossings so as not to impede pedestrian travel, and allow access to businesses and residences along the affected stretch.

MBTA buses 88 and 90 will be allowed to proceed along Highland in both directions during the detour. However, stops at School St., Trull Ln. and Central St. may be temporarily closed to accommodate the utility work.

* Please note that this project does not include any streetscape improvements on Highland Ave. A separate, future project will incorporate new streetscape designs and roadway resurfacing.

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

An important notice for residents currently connected to water service via a temporary water line (image included for reference), as part of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project:

When outdoor temperatures (including overnight) drop to 32ºF or below, the water in the temporary blue hose may freeze, resulting in an interruption to your water service. IMPORTANT: It is critical that starting today, you leave at least one water tap running inside your home overnight while temperatures are below 32ºF to prevent a frozen waterline and ensure you have continuous drinking water. Locate the tap (or faucet) on the lowest level inside your home. Allow a pencil-sized trickle of water to come out of the faucet so that water continues to flow through the temporary blue hose to prevent freezing. Keep the trickle of water running all night until the hose is disconnected from your outside tap by the City’s contractor, or until overnight temperatures rise above 32ºF.

Shutting off the faucet if the temperature is below 32ºF may cause the water in the blue hose to freeze, resulting in an interruption of water service to your residence.

While you are connected to the temporary water service, your water bill will be estimated. You will not be charged for the additional water used to keep your waterline from freezing.

Work is scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks. When the work is completed, the blue hose will be removed and the watermain will be back in service.

Affected residents should receive additional notification via the attached flyer delivered to their residence.

Update 11/15/22 - The recording of this meeting is now available for anyone unable to attend or who would like to review the presentation.

Fall 2022 Community Meeting

Wednesday, November 9, at 6:00 p.m.

Join us for a virtual community meeting on phase I of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project. Topics to be covered include:

• Review of progress made during the 2022 construction season
• In-depth look ahead to winter work and 2023 construction season
• Neighborhood feedback and Q&A session with City staff

REGISTER HERE

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wzCLya-jRXO-XhkX024T9A

Interpretation into Portuguese, Spanish, Haitian Kreyol, Nepali, Mandarin, Cantonese, or other languages may be available upon advance request by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov(External link) or calling 311 at 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.

Weather permitting, City contractors will rehabilitate aging sewers using a method called cured-in-place-pipe lining (CIPP lining) to provide more structurally sound pipes without excavation.

Locations:

Anticipated Work Schedule (subject to change): Work expected to take place during the week of 8/29. Weekdays between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Schedule is subject to change due to weather or other factors. Hours may extend to 10 p.m. on certain streets with larger diameter sewers.

Odor: Plastic- or glue-like odors may be detectable when the liner cures. This will dissipate quickly once the process is complete. If you are sensitive to odors, consider opening windows or doors to increase airflow.

Noise: Moderate noise expected from truck engines and equipment.

Traffic Impacts: On-street parking restrictions expected on both sides of the work zone. Isolated street closures will be in effect. Onsite crews will provide detour signage and help abutters get in and out of their driveway as needed.

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

Watermain shutdown scheduled for Wednesday, July 20th from 9 AM – 11 AM. The following addresses will be affected by the shutdown:

• 150, 156, 174 and 180 Highland Ave
• 2 - 54 Benton Rd
• 46 - 75 Central St
• 38-76 Berkeley St
• Westwood Rd (Entire St)
• Cambria St (Entire St)
• Gibbens St (Entire St)

Once the water is back on, you may experience a short period of water discoloration. Though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advised to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, the clothes should not be dried, and you can call 311 (or 617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city) for a free bottle of rust remover.

We have two water main shutdowns scheduled for the week of June 27th to support the Spring Hill Project

• Watermain shutdown scheduled for Monday, June 27th from 9 AM – 3 PM. The following addresses will be affected by the shutdown:

• 519, 545, 567-569 Somerville Ave
• 6-18 Spring Street
• 1-40 Central St (Excluding Hospital)
• Atherton Street (Entire Street)
• Beech Street (Entire Street)
• Cypress Street (Entire Street)
• Pitman Street (Entire Street)

Residences will be notified by the contractor on Friday (6/24) via flyer. The CHA Clinic will be unaffected by this shutdown.

Gioioso is also performing water utility work that will require a watermain shutdown on Thursday, June 30th from 9 AM – 3 PM. The following addresses will be affected by the shutdown:

• 9-41 Sycamore Street (Excluding #s 26 and 29)
• 129 – 147 Highland Ave

Residences will be notified by the contractor via flyer next week.