Government

Reconstruction of Belmont Street to be Discussed at Meeting

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A meeting will be held to discuss the plans to reconstruct Belmont Street and the sidewalks in the area on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The meeting will he held at the Buckingham Browne & Nichols Administration Building at 46 Belmont St. (rear of the Sacred Heart Parish, 770 Mt. Auburn St.)

This is the second in a series of meetings to view and discuss conceptual plans for the reconstruction of Belmont Street, and abutting sidewalks, by the City of Cambridge. The sidewalks on the south side, from the area of Watertown’s Brimmer and Francis Streets, to the intersection with Mt. Auburn St., are located in Watertown and will be reconstructed as part of the project. 

Information on the project is available on the Town of Watertown and City of Cambridge websites as follows:

https://www.watertown-ma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=21694

https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/CityProjects/2019/belmontstreetreconstructionproject

Gas Lines

Gas Line Replacements Will Impact Streets in and Around Watertown

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National Grid will be replacing natural gas lines to service a new development just over the town line in Belmont, but the project will impact users of two main roads in Watertown. A representative from the utility appeared before the Town Council earlier this month to discuss the portion of the project in Watertown, which will go down Lexington Street. Then the project continues to Belmont Street. In Watertown, the work will replace 350 feet of 12 inch gas line from Lexington Street at Warren Street to the island at Lexington and Belmont streets. A representative for National Grid at the meeting said the new gas line is needed to allow capacity for a new development in Belmont.

Around Town

Roadwork Causing Detours on Arsenal Street This Week

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Drivers on Arsenal Street will be detoured in one direction beginning this week, and the Watertown Department of Public Works provided the following announcement:

Emergency work to replace the collapsed culvert on Arsenal Street, near #275 Arsenal Street and Louise Street, will recommence tomorrow, Tuesday, August 27. The next phase of work includes performing a test pit over the Cambridge water main to determine its depth and then completing removal of the collapsed stone-laid culvert and replacing with 15-inch PVC pipe. To facilitate the work, Arsenal Street WESTBOUND thru traffic will be detoured at School Street during the working hours of 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Local traffic will continue to have access to the businesses abutting Arsenal Street up to Tile Showcase (#285 Arsenal Street) and Lexus (#314 Arsenal Street).  MBTA buses will be allowed through the work zone. Arsenal Street EASTBOUND will remain open to thru traffic through the work area, but intermittent delays should be expected. We appreciate the community’s patience and understanding during this necessary work. This phase of work will complete the emergency repairs, with the old stone culvert having been removed from Arsenal Street and replaced with upgraded infrastructure

Around Town

Repaving of Common Street Will Close Several Watertown Streets for a Week

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The Watertown Department of Public Works is remodeling Common Street and surrounding streets. The following information was provided by the Watertown DPW:

Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 7 the Common Street project will enter an important phase. At that time, road reclamation (pulverization) of the road base, roadway fine grading, and paving of the binder (first) course of pavement is planned for Common Street (Columbia Street through and including the Orchard Street intersection) and Katherine Road (from Common Street to Church Street). Weather permitting, this phase of work will take approximately one week to complete.

Around Town

Charles River Road to Close Overnight, Again — See Which Days

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The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) closed Charles River Road last week and will close again for two nights this week. The DCR sent out the following information:
On Thursday, May 10, 2018, and Friday, May 11, 2018, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement a roadway closure along Charles River Road in the Town of Watertown between North Beacon Street and Watertown Square from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. to accommodate paving work. Additionally, traffic patterns will be clearly marked and a police detail will be on site. WHERE: Charles River Road in the Town of Watertown between North Beacon Street and Watertown Square
WHEN: Thursday, May 10, 2018, and Friday, May 11, 2018, 7:00 p.m. – 5:00 a.m.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. Led by Commissioner Leo Roy, the agency’s mission is to protect, promote, and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural, and recreational resources.

Government

Major Road Work Project Just off Watertown Square Will Last Nearly 2 Months

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Construction on a major drainage and paving project could cause traffic delays in Watertown Square for nearly 2 months, possibly more. 

Work begins on Tuesday, Oct. 11 on areas of the Municipal Parking Lot behind CVS, as well as a section of Spring Street, just off Main Street and the big intersection in the Square, and is expected to finish by the beginning of December 2016, according to a letter to the Watertown Department of Public Works from the contractor, D&M Civil. In the letter, the contractors said there could be “minor traffic/detour inconveniences” in the area of Spring Street at the corner of Summer Street.  There may also be dust and noise generated by the work. The project includes installation of underground drainage chambers and piping, along with excavating and repaving the asphalt in the construction area.

Arsenal Street

UPDATE: Detours Coming as One Side of Arsenal Street to is Closed Road Work

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The westbound side of Arsenal Street will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30 while crews work on the road, and eastbound traffic will be detoured. 

The road will be milling the pavement (removing the top part of the roadway) on the westbound side from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., the contractor informed the Watertown Department of Public Works. “In order to expedite this work a temporary detour will be set up for the Arsenal Street eastbound traffic utilizing Irving Street, North Beacon Street and Louise Street,” the contractor wrote. “Westbound traffic along Arsenal Street will remain on Arsenal Street and rerouted around the work zone.” Several police officers will be in the area to assist drivers and pedestrians navigate the area. Buses will be allowed to travel along Arsenal Street and current bus stops will be maintained.

Government

Road Work Will Close Major Intersection Near Watertown Square

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The intersection of Church and Summer streets will be closed this week for emergency repairs, announced the Department of Public Works. Beginning Monday, April 13, the Department of Public Works and its contractor D & R Paving, will be performing emergency road repairs. The work includes the section of Church Street from Winter Street to Summer Street. During the construction, the work area will be closed and there will be no access to Church Place. The emergency work will consist of removal of pavement by excavation, compaction, and repaving.