Update on Arsenal Street Paving Project, Which Begins Aug. 19

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Please read this updated information about Arsenal Street Paving and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Traffic Advisory regarding Greenough Boulevard:

Arsenal St. paving is scheduled for August 19-24, 2024, from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (hours may be extended) (from Greenough Blvd to School Street) and School Street (from Arsenal Street to 76 School Street). There will be “No Parking” signs posted. Avoid parking in these areas. Access to driveways and the road being worked on will be limited during paving to allow for time for asphalt to cool.

Repaving of Arsenal Street Will Include Lane Closures, Detours

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

Street paving will begin on August 12, 2024, along Arsenal Street, from Greenough Blvd to School Street, and on School Street, from Arsenal Street. to 76 School Street. “No Parking” signs will be posted where necessary in the areas designated for road work. Please avoid parking your car in these posted areas. During paving, access to and from your driveway and the roadway being worked on will be limited.

Removal of Overhead Wires Begins on Mt. Auburn Street as Part of the Reconstruction Project

An MBTA bus traveling on Mount Auburn Street using the Overhead Catenary System, which will be removed as part of preconstruction work for the project. (Photo from City of Watertown)

The City of Watertown announced that preparation work for the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project will begin this week. See the announcement below. The Mount Auburn Street project team is pleased to announce that roadway and sidewalk construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2024.

Eversource Reliability Project Starting Construction in Watertown, Other Areas in May 2024

Eversource provided the following announcement:

Start of Construction Expected in May 2024 in Waltham, Watertown, and Brighton

Starting soon, as early as the week of May 27, 2024, Eversource and its contractors will begin working in local streets in Waltham, Watertown, and the Allston/Brighton neighborhood of Boston to install a new transmission line by way of reconductoring. Reconductoring is minimally invasive, does not require full in-street excavation along the entire route and mainly happens at manhole locations. The entire project is expected to last roughly 24 months and people and businesses near manhole and piper repair locations can expect to see Eversource crews intermittently throughout the life of the project. To learn more about the project, call 1-833-836-0302 or email ProjectInfoMA@eversource.com. You can also sign up to receive routine email updates by visiting https://bit.ly/WW-B.

Utility Work on Common Street for High School Starts Monday

The project managers for the Watertown High School construction project announced that lanes will be closed on Common Street for utility work beginning Monday. The section impacted will be from Columbia Street past Spring Street and Marion Road. The following announcement was provided by Vertex, the owner’s project manager for the WHS project. “Progress associated with the Underground Utility Work surrounding the High School Project Site has been advancing steadily. Work along Common Street has been coordinated to begin today.

Electrical Wiring Project Will Impact Traffic on North Beacon St.

Another one of Watertown’s major roadways will have a project this year that will slow traffic. New electric lines will be installed under North Beacon Street, and could take two to three months to complete. In January, the City Council approved the petition from Eversource to install 1,612 feet of conduit for electrical wires under North Beacon. The project also includes 177 feet of conduit under Main Street and 60 feet of conduit under Pleasant Street. The photos in the petition application show roadways starting at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Main Street in Watertown Square, and going east to the intersection of North Beacon Street and Irving Street.

Arsenal Street Renovation Will Go Through Mid-2024, Bids Requested

A section of Arsenal Street on the east end of the major roadway in Watertown has been redesigned and will be repaved. The project is expected to run though mid-2024. The call for bids put out by the City of Watertown on Dec. 22 is for a project including the reconstruction includes 3,422 feet of roadway from Arsenal Way to Greenough Boulevard, and will install traffic signals at four locations. The full depth of the roadway will be replaced, and granite curbing and cement sidewalks will be installed.

Road Work on Belmont St. Will Impact Some Watertown Residents

The following information was provided by the Watertown Department of Public Works:

As part of the Belmont Street Reconstruction Project, the City of Cambridge’s contractor, Newport Construction, will begin mobilizing in the coming weeks

Newport will begin installing tree protection along the street, performing survey and layout work, saw-cutting areas of the roadway and delivering and install of drainage structures. DigSafe markings will also begin appearing on the sidewalk and roadways. Following drainage work, weather permitting, Newport will begin the installation of the Cambridge water main along Belmont Street between the Belmont Town Line and Mt. Auburn Street. Cambridge residents of Belmont Street will receive a notice with specific details regarding this work.