Western Washington Street Mobility Improvements

Weather permitting, this Friday June 13, beginning at approximately 7 a.m. City contractors will perform a final round of paving on the new raised intersection at Hanson St./Skehan St. and at Oak St. and Houghton St.

This work will require the intersections to be closed to motor vehicle traffic in all four directions while paving is underway and while asphalt dries.

Oak St./Houghton St. Access Note - During this time, Oak Street (Cambridge St. to Prospect St.) and Houghton Street (Springfield St. to Prospect St.) will become temporarily 2-way to facilitate resident access.

Hanson St./Skehan St. Access Note - During this time, Hanson Street (Durham St. to Skehan St. / Skehan St. to Properzi Way) will become temporarily 2-way to facilitate resident access.

• Both sidewalks will remain open during work to allow pedestrian access.
• Access will be retained for emergency vehicles at all times.
• Once asphalt is sufficiently dry, crews will reopen the roadway.

Striping and pavement marking will follow this final paving and mark the completion of the reconstruction of this intersections.

Why raised intersections?

Raised crossings are traffic calming tools designed to make our streets safer and more comfortable for everyone. Since they are elevated (roughly to sidewalk height), people driving must slow down as they approach the crossing.

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

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve safety on our streets.

Weather permitting, this Tuesday Jun. 3, beginning at approximately 7 a.m. City contractors will install granite curbing across the new raised intersection at Hanson Street and Skehan Street.

Intersection Closed to Traffic - Tuesday, Jun. 3 to Wednesday, Jun. 4.

This work will require the intersection to be closed to motor vehicle traffic in all four directions for approximately 24 hours. This closure is necessary to allow granite curbing to set properly.

During this time, Hanson Street (Durham St. to Skehan St. / Skehan St. to Properzi Way) will become temporarily 2-way to facilitate resident access.

• Both sidewalks will remain open during work to allow pedestrian access.
• Access will be retained for emergency vehicles at all times.

Once granite curbing is properly set, crews will reopen the roadway. Temporary asphalt ramps on each approach to the intersection will allow motor vehicle traffic to resume as usual prior to final paving.

Remaining Work - Final Paving and Pavement Marking

Following the installation of granite curbing and temporary asphalt ramps, paving crews will return to add a final, permanent course of asphalt. Striping and pavement marking will follow this final paving and mark the completion of the reconstruction of this intersection.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve safety on our streets.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6000 x 5400.

Weather permitting, this Monday Apr. 28, beginning at approximately 7 a.m., City contractors will install granite curbing across the new raised intersection at Oak Street and Houghton Street.

Intersection Closed to Traffic - Monday, Apr. 28 to Tuesday, Apr. 29.

This work will require the intersection to be closed to traffic in all four directions for approximately 24 hours. This closure is necessary to allow granite curbing to set properly.

• During this time, Oak Street (Cambridge St. to Prospect St.) and Houghton Street (Springfield St. to Prospect St.) will become temporarily 2-way to facilitate resident access.
• Both sidewalks will remain open during work to allow pedestrian access.
• Access will be retained for emergency vehicles at all times.

Once granite curbing is properly set, crews will reopen the roadway. Temporary asphalt ramps on each approach to the intersection will allow motor vehicle traffic to resume as usual prior to final paving.

Remaining Work - Final Paving and Pavement Marking

Following the installation of granite curbing and temporary asphalt ramps, paving crews will return to add a final, permanent course of asphalt.

Striping and pavement marking will follow this final paving and mark the completion of the reconstruction of this intersection.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6000 ext. 5400.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to improve safety on our streets.

Update 4/17 - Following installation of new drainage structures at both intersections, crews will be rebuilding sidewalks directly adjacent to the intersections over the coming days. Following sidewalk construction, they will begin milling (removing top few layers of asphalt) the roadway prior to constructing the new raised intersections and repaving.

Weather permitting, as early as this Monday, March 17, City contractors will begin construction of a raised intersection at Oak Street and Houghton Street as well as at Hanson St. and Skehan St.

What to Expect

• Contractors will first install new drainage structures in the vicinity of the intersection.
• Following drainage installation, crews will begin construction of raised intersections by installing new granite curbing, rebuilding adjacent sidewalks, etc.
• Final paving of the intersection will follow.

The entire process is anticipated to take 1-2 months to complete. However, schedules are subject to change based on weather and other factors.

Construction Impacts

• Some temporary parking will be in place.
  • Please observe posted signage.
• Periodic detours and road closures may be required to facilitate work.
  • Access will be retained for residents at all times.

Additional notification will be provided prior to residents ahead of final paving.

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

About Raised Crossings/Intersections

Raised crossings are traffic calming tools designed to make our streets safer and more comfortable for everyone. Since they are elevated (roughly to sidewalk height), people driving must slow down as they approach the crossing.

Because they are sidewalk height, they enable people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to cross more easily.

Interested in learning more about traffic calming? Visit our traffic calming page for information on different traffic calming tools, a map of existing and future traffic calming locations, as well as an overview of how we prioritize these interventions.

Following the construction of raised intersections throughout the project area (pictured below), City contractors are working to complete remaining construction items and on sitewide cleanup.

Remaining Construction Items (Non-Exhaustive)

• Additional signage and pavement markings
• Installation of drainage structures to correct minor road and sidewalk grading issues to prevent water from pooling
• Removal of tree protection
• Introduction of new pedestrian signals at the intersection of Washington Street/Calvin Street/Dane Street
• Installation of flex-posts along the street-level bike lanes is expected to take place prior to the end of the year (2024).
  • Due to procurement challenges, addition of concrete barriers has been delayed until 2025. We are currently anticipating installation will take place in spring ‘25 at the earliest.

Construction Impacts/Schedule (Subject to Change)

Remaining construction impacts are expected to be minimal. No major detour/road closures are anticipated as part of the remaining work. Some temporary parking restrictions may be required.

Work hours are typically weekdays 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Some pavement marking work will take place overnight between approximately 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

• Overnight pavement marking will produce brief periods of elevated noise levels near work zones.

  • Crews are not expected to remain in any one particular location for an extended period of time and will be moving along the street as work progresses

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

This post was updated on 11/6 to reflect a change in schedule. Work and the associated detour will now begin on Tuesday, November 12.

Weather permitting, beginning this upcoming Tuesday, November 12, City contractors plan to construct two raised crossings and a raised intersection across Washington Street.

• Raised crossing across Washington Street at Perry Street
• Raised crossing across Washington Street at Magnus Avenue
• Raised intersection at Washington St./Hansen St./Caldwell Ave.

This work will require eastbound (toward Union Square) traffic along Washington Street (Beacon Street to Webster Avenue) to be detoured via Beacon Street, Park Street, and Somerville Avenue. Once in place the detour will be in effect 24 hours a day (see schedule below).

Westbound travel (toward Cambridge) will be maintained as usual.

Schedule (subject to change due to weather or other factors)

• Tuesday, Nov., 12, 7 a.m. to Friday, Nov., 15, 3 p.m. (Eastbound detour in effect 24/7.)
  • Construction of raised crossing across Washington St. at Perry St.
  • Raised crossing across Washington St. at Magnus Ave.
  • Raised intersection at Washington St./Hanson St./Caldwell Ave.*

*Residents of Hansen St. and Caldwell Ave. will receive additional notification ahead of any impacts affecting vehicle access to their street.

Motor Vehicle Impacts

• Eastbound (heading toward Union Square) vehicle traffic will be directed left on Beacon Street, right onto Park Street, and right on Somerville Avenue.
• Westbound (heading toward Beacon Street) vehicle traffic maintained as usual.

Pedestrian, Transit and Other Impacts

• Sidewalks will remain open and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
• MBTA bus route 86 will offer modified service during this period.
  • See signage posted at affected stops or visit mbta.com/bus for details.
• Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all times.

Other Construction Impacts

• Some temporary parking restrictions will be in place.
  • Please observe posted signage.

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 pave Washington Street between Bowdoin Street and Line Street on Thursday, October 31 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.

What to Expect/Construction Impacts

Washington Street Detour

• Washington Street will be closed to traffic in both directions during work.
  • Detour signage will be in place to help people navigate around the work zone.*
  • Sidewalks in both directions will remain open during this phase of work.
  • Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles at all time.

*Detour route may shift during the course of the day depending on progress and in-field conditions. Please observe posted signage and instructions of detail officers.

Additional Impacts

• Access to driveways along Washington Street will be temporarily restricted while the asphalt cures/dries.
• MBTA buses will offer modified service during paving.
  • Visit mbta.com/bus for more information.
• 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.

Following Paving

Pavement marking and line striping is currently expected to take place during the week of 11/4.

Once paving is complete, crews will install remaining street safety and traffic calming interventions along this stretch of Washington Street, including:

• Raised intersection at Washington St./Hanson St.

• Raised crossings at Washington St. and Magnus Ave/Perry St./Parkdale St.

• among others.

Additionally, a new crossing and dedicated pedestrian signals will be added to the intersection of Washington St./Calvin St./Dane St.

Questions?

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

This work is being undertaken concurrently with preparation for paving on Washington Street. For more information on preparation for paving and the associated detour please see our previous update.
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Weather permitting, this Wednesday Oct. 30, City contractors will build a raised crossing across Kingman Road at the intersection of Washington Street to make crossing the street safer.

Work is currently scheduled to take place Wednesday, October 30 (weather permitting) between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

During this time motor vehicles will not be able to enter or leave Kingman Road.

• Both sidewalks will remain open during work to allow pedestrian access.
• Access will be retained for emergency vehicles at all times.
• If you need your vehicle to leave Kingman Road during the above-mentioned construction hours, it is advised you relocate your vehicle ahead of time

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience as we work to improve safety on our streets.

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

About Raised Crossings

Raising crosswalks to roughly sidewalk height requires people driving to slow down as they approach the crossing. Additionally, because they are sidewalk height, they enable people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to cross more easily.

Interested in learning more about traffic calming? Visit our traffic calming page at somervillema.gov/trafficcalming for information on different traffic calming tools, a map of existing and future traffic calming locations, as well as an overview of how we prioritize these interventions.

Beginning Thursday, October 24 or soon after City contractors will be milling (removing the top few layers of asphalt) the roadway surface along Washington Street between Bowdoin Street and Line Street and performing other work in preparation for final paving of the roadway.

Schedule of Work (Subject to Change Due to Weather or Other Factors)

• Milling and other paving preparation is scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 24
  • Milling is expected to be completed in approximately 1-2 days.
  • In the days following milling, crews will be raising castings (bring manhole covers and other in-ground structures within the roadway to their final height) along this segment of Washington Street.
• Final paving of the roadway will follow approximately 7-10 days after milling is complete.
  • Additional notification will be provided once the paving date is confirmed.

Work hours are weekdays approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Eastbound and Westbound Vehicle Detour and Other Impacts

Temporary detours will be required for both eastbound and westbound through traffic while this work is underway.

• Eastbound traffic (heading toward Union Square) will be detoured left on Beacon Street, right on Park Street, and then right on Somerville Avenue.
• Westbound traffic (heading toward Cambridge) will be detoured via Bow Street to Somerville Avenue, left on Park Street, and right on Beacon Street.
  • 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.
• Emergency vehicles will be able to proceed in both directions at all times.
• Eastbound MBTA bus service will be temporarily modified during this work. Westbound service will be maintained as usual.
  • Visit mbta.com/bus for more information.
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place.
  • Please observe posted signage.

Access for Local Residents and Businesses

Access for local residents and businesses will be maintained at the eastern end (closest to Union Square) of the work zone.

Following Milling/Paving

Once paving is complete, crews will install remaining street safety and traffic calming interventions along this stretch of Washington Street, including:

• Raised intersection at Washington St./Hanson St.
• Raised crossings at Washington St./Magnus Ave and Washington St./Perry St.
• among others.

Additionally, a new crossing and dedicated pedestrian signals will be added to the intersection of Washington St./Calvin St./Dane St.

Questions?

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

Update 10/18 - This work has been rescheduled to start on Thursday, October 24. Additional information will be shared early next week.

Beginning Monday, October 21 or soon after City contractors will be milling (removing the top few layers of asphalt) the roadway surface along Washington Street between Bowdoin Street and Line Street in preparation for final paving of the roadway.

Schedule of Work (Subject to Change Due to Weather or Other Factors)

• Milling is scheduled to take place during the week of October 21
• Final paving of the roadway will follow approximately 7-10 days after milling
• Additional notification will be provided once paving is scheduled.
• Work hours are weekdays 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Construction Impacts

• Temporary detours will be required while milling is underway.
• 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.

Following Milling/Paving

Once paving is complete, crews will install remaining street safety and traffic calming along this stretch of Washington Street, including:

• Raised intersection at Washington St./Hanson St.
• Raised crossings at Washington St./Magnus Ave and Washington St./Perry St.

Additionally, a new crossing and dedicated pedestrian signals will be added to the intersection of Washington St./Calvin St./Dane St.

Have questions?

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