The process of removing the old asphalt to prepare for the repaving of on Mt. Auburn Street will begin this week. Also, hydrant installation and sidewalk pouring will take place in the East End. See details in the City of Watertown’s announcement, below.
Sidewalk Concrete Installation and Excavation
Sidewalk concrete installation and pouring will take place on the westbound side of Mount Auburn Street, between Belmont Street and Prentiss Street from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Concrete pouring is scheduled to take place between Belmont Street and Prentiss Street on Monday, September 15, 2025. Excavation on Celebrity Pizza’s (684 Mt Auburn Street) driveway will begin on Monday, September 15, 2025. Notices have been provided to the properties directly affected within the pouring area. Details on travel and parking impacts are provided below.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
The westbound sidewalk will be closed for this work starting again on Monday, September 15, 2025 at 7:00 a.m. A bypass sidewalk on the westbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.
Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions.
Parking Impacts
Parking on the westbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Belmont Street and Prentiss Street will be prohibited while work is active between 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. “No parking” signs will be posted in the area and removed when work is completed each day.
Milling and Hydrant Installation
Milling (removing top layers of pavement) will take place on Arlington Street at Grove Street heading towards Mount Auburn Street.
Hydrant installation will occur on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, on Arlington Street at Grove Street.
On September 17, 2025, hydrant installation will occur on Bigelow Avenue.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and the possibility of access to sideroad entrances being temporarily limited. One travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street. Detour signage will be posted should the access to side roads be limited or closed during this work. Any side road access impacts is anticipated to be limited.
Some of this work will take place on the sidewalks, but they will remain open and accessible. Business entrances will be maintained. The work in these areas will begin at 7:00 a.m. each day and end before 5:00 p.m.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in this construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Please follow the parking closure signs that are posted by crews starting at 7:00 a.m. each morning. Any parking closure signs that are posted will be removed from the area by 5:00 p.m. each day.
(Note: All dates are approximate and will be dependent on weather conditions and any testing yet to be performed.)
Resources from the City’s Economic Development Team
During construction in the Coolidge Square area, Watertown’s Economic Development team developed the below graphic to help residents get around Coolidge Square, whether by car, bike, bus, or walking. Keep up to date with any road closures, bus stop impacts, or parking limitations in the work detailed above! A larger version of this map can be found at Mount Auburn Street’s project website.
Sign Up for Mount Auburn Street Email Updates
About the Project
The Mount Auburn Street Project will transform the corridor into a Complete Street, providing safe and accessible options for all modes. This project will also provide increased efficiency on the MBTA Bus Route 71, improve traffic operations and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and improved aesthetics.
We will post construction schedules and other work notifications consistently on the project website, and via the City’s social media accounts. You can sign up to receive project email updates here. For questions, please visit the website’s FAQ or email the project team directly.