Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project

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, July 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.

If 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.

Following 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.

Update: 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.

Last 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)

• 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

• 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

• Temporary parking restrictions will be in place during work.

  • Please observe posted signage

• 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.

Weather 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.

As 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.).

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.