The process of removing, reconfiguring, and pouring new sidewalks in Coolidge Square continues during the week of June 15, 2026. See more details in the announcement from the City of Watertown, below.
Sidewalk Grading & Forming
Sidewalk fine grading will take place at School Street and Hillside Road.
Sidewalk forming will take place between Winsor Ave. and Hillside Road.
Curb Removal & Reset
Crews will be removing and resetting the curbing near Bigelow Ave and along Arlington Street.
Concrete Placement
Concrete sidewalk panels will be poured on the sidewalk at School Ln. and Norseman Ave. Sidewalk panels will also be placed on Arlington St. near Grove St.
Elsewhere on Mount Auburn St., sidewalk panels will be placed between Winsor Ave. and Hillside Road once necessary forming is completed.
Depending on progress, sidewalk panels would next be poured on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Elton Avenue and Bigelow Avenue.
Sidewalk, Business Access and Traffic Impacts
Sidewalks: The sidewalk will be closed during working hours, and a pedestrian detour will be implemented throughout the construction period. The sidewalk will be restored to a walkable condition after working hours each day.
Business Access: Pedestrians needing access to businesses within the active construction area will be directed to use rear entrances when available, or they will be escorted safely through the work zone by police details. Construction activities will be temporarily paused until pedestrians have safely entered the designated safe zone. Access to business and residential entrances will be maintained.
Traffic: During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in the construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7 a.m. and will be removing them from the area by 5 p.m. each day.
Steps of Sidewalk Reconstruction
Drainage Installation
Two crews will perform drainage installation on Mount Auburn Street between Walnut Street and Amherst Road.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, but they will remain open and accessible. Business entrances will be maintained as well. Work in these areas will begin at 7 a.m. each day and end before 5 p.m.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in the drainage installation construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7 a.m. and will be removing them from the area by 5 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 web\Sign Up for Mount Auburn Street Update Emails