Notice: Highland St. Reconstruction Project: Final Roadway Paving Preparations begin 7/20
The City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will be grinding the roadway on Highland St. beginning Monday, July 20th. This work is in preparation for the final roadway paving taking place the week of July 27th.
Roadway grinding work will take 1-2 days to complete, weather permitting, and will result in rough roadway conditions for several days. During this time, castings in the street will be raised above street level. Please exercise caution when navigating the area.
Final paving will take 1-2 days to complete and is expected to begin the week of July 27th, weather permitting. This will restore the roadway to new condition.
Vehicle access in and out of properties will be restricted during work hours while crews perform the paving. Please plan vehicle trips accordingly.
Any additional restoration items related to the project, including back of sidewalk work and pavement markings, will be completed by the contractor in the coming weeks before the end of construction.
What to Expect during Paving
- Work hours will be 7 AM to 5 PM.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be restricted. Please plan vehicle and parking trips accordingly.
- Roadway conditions will be rough during the time between grinding and paving. Please use caution when navigating the area.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
- Emergency vehicles will have access at all times.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870 / kriley@cambridgema.gov or Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer, at 617-349-9351 / mmiguel@cambridgema.gov. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Notice: Highland St. Reconstruction Project: Curb and sidewalk work to begin June 8th
As part of the ongoing street and sidewalk reconstruction work on Highland St., the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will mobilize on Monday, June 8th to begin curb and sidewalk work. Crews will begin removing the sidewalks, removing and resetting curbing, and then installing new sidewalks. Contractors are required to follow the safety guidelines established by the State and submit their COVID-19 Control Plans to the City. Newport Construction’s control plan has been accepted and they are permitted to proceed with work.
This work is expected to take approximately 4 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Final roadway paving will occur at the end of the Highland Street project and will be announced via an additional notice in the coming months. Detours will be in place during work hours. Please look for Detour signs, Road Closed signs, and No Parking signs as they will be changing frequently during the work.
At the end of each day, the contractor will clean the work site to allow for motorists to utilize the roadway.
What to Expect During Construction:
- General work hours will be 7am – 4pm, Monday-Friday.
- Please check posted No Parking signs.
- Please follow pedestrian detour signs.
- Access to properties will be maintained, when possible.
- Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles and City services.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617-349-4870/kriley@cambridgema.gov or Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer, at 617-349-9351/mmiguel@cambridgema.gov. For more information about the project and to sign up for the project email list, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/cityprojects/2017/highlandstreconstructionproject. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
The following email was sent May 28, 2020
Dear Neighbor,
On March 18th, Cambridge issued a Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium to limit construction in the City to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Last week, the City issued an Amended Temporary Emergency Construction Order to allow construction to restart in a phased approach in the coming weeks.
What does this mean for construction in my neighborhood?
Beginning this week, you may start to see some construction activity related to site safety preparations, including installation of hand wash stations and other site modifications related to COVID-19 safety precautions. Beginning June 1st, you may start to see increased activity on your street related to the re-starting of construction. We will be in touch via additional notices with a schedule and information specific to the project on your street.
Residents should be aware that No Parking signs will start to appear in relation to construction activity. Contractors will make every effort to provide 48-hours’ notice, but please check the street frequently.
COVID-19 Control Plan for Construction:
In addition to the stringent safety guidelines required by the State, all contractors will need to submit to the Inspectional Services Department or Department of Public Works, as appropriate, a COVID-19 Control Plan for Cambridge on permitted projects. This plan will require:
- A cleaning and decontamination checklist; The number of workers expected on the job site; and
- No non-essential personnel may be present at the worksite.
- Additionally, contractors will be encouraged, and in some cases required, to conduct a site-specific risk analysis and enhanced COVID-19 safety plan for more complex projects.
As previously announced on May 18, the City of Cambridge will expand currently allowed construction activity in the City in four phases:
- Phase 1, beginning May 25, will add site safety prep work for projects previously permitted by Inspectional Services (ISD) and Public Works (DPW). Forthcoming amendments to the City’s Temporary Emergency Construction Order issued on March 18 will modify the definition of essential construction to include work associated with COVID-19 restaurant modification needed to allow them to safely reopen;
- Phase 2, beginning on June 1, will add horizontal construction, city building projects, 100% affordable housing developments, larger buildings (over 25,000 square feet) previously permitted by ISD or DPW;
- Phase 3, tentatively beginning on June 15, will add all remaining existing construction previously permitted by ISD and DPW; and
- Phase 4, tentatively beginning on June 29, will add new permits. Permits can be submitted, and pre-reviews will occur at any time, but permits will not be formally accepted or issued until this date.
For additional details on the Amended Temporary Emergency Construction Order, please click here.
Notice: Highland St. Reconstruction Project: Curb and sidewalk work beginning 3/6
As part of the ongoing street and sidewalk reconstruction work on Highland St., the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will mobilize on Friday, March 6th to begin resetting curbs along the street.
This work is expected to take approximately 4 weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Sidewalk work and final roadway paving will follow and will continue throughout the upcoming construction season. This work will be announced via an additional notice in the coming weeks.
Please look for Detour signs, Road Closed signs, and No Parking signs as they will be changing frequently during the work.
What to Expect During Construction:
- General work hours will be 7am - 4pm, Monday-Friday
- Please check posted No Parking signs.
- Please follow pedestrian detour signs.
- Access to properties will be maintained, when possible.
- Access will be maintained for emergency vehicles and City services.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Project Administrator - Community Relations, at 617-349-4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Brian McLane, Project Manager, at 617-945-4084 / bmclane@cambridgema.gov.
If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Notice: Chapter 90 Contract 23A Reconstruction Project- Roadway Reconstruction to Begin 11/19
The City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will begin roadway reconstruction. To ensure that the roadway conditions will be favorable for many years to come, crews will engage in full-depth reconstruction on Highland St. from Appleton St. to Reservoir St. This work is expected to take one week.
At the end of each day, the contractor will clean the work site to allow for motorists to utilize the roadway. There will be a grade difference between the regular road and the section under construction. We kindly ask that motorists drive through the construction zone slowly. The roadway will also be lower, making the curbs higher for parked cars. Please use caution when opening car doors so as not to damage them on the curbs.
What to Expect During Construction:
- General work hours 7am-4pm, Monday through Friday.
- Please check posted No Parking signs.
- Access will be maintained for abutters whenever possible. Caution should be used. After work hours, roadways will reopen for all in their normal travel directions.
- Access will be maintained for City services and emergency vehicles.
Final roadway paving will occur at the end of the Highland St. Reconstruction Project and will be announced via an additional notice in the spring.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Project Administrator, Community Relations, at 617.349.4870 / kriley@cambridgema.gov or Brian Mclane, at 617-945-4084 / bmclane@cambridgema.gov. For more information about the project and to sign up for the project email list, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/cityprojects/2017/highlandstreconstructionproject. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Notice: Highland St. Reconstruction Project: Drainage work beginning the week of 10/28
As part of the Highland St. Reconstruction Project, the City's contractor, Newport Construction, will begin mobilizing on Highland St. next week ahead of the start of drainage work.
On or about Monday, 10/28, weather permitting, Newport will begin the installation of several catch basins along the curb line to improve drainage along Highland St.
The Highland St. Reconstruction Project is part of the City's 5-Year Plan for Street and Sidewalks and will include paving, sidewalk work, and pedestrian ramp installations. This work is anticipated to take place Spring/Summer 2020.
What to Expect During Construction:
- Work hours will be 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday-Friday.
- "No Parking" signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be maintained but may be restricted for short periods. If you need access and your driveway is blocked, please speak to a crew member on site and they will make accommodations for you.
- Emergency vehicles will have access at all times.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617-349-4870/kriley@cambridgema.gov or Brian McLane, Engineer, at 617-349-4824. If you have any special need or disability please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Highland St. Reconstruction Project: Tree pruning taking place week of 9/30, Drainage work starting early November
As part of the Highland St. Reconstruction Project, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will have a tree sub-contractor on Highland St. next week pruning trees as part of their tree protection program. This pruning will also help promote healthy canopy growth. This work is expected to take 2-3 days.
In November, weather permitting, crews from Newport Construction will begin mobilizing on Highland St. ahead of the start of drainage work. They may be saw-cutting areas of the roadway and delivering drainage structures to the site.
The drainage work consists of the installation of several catch basins along the curb line to improve drainage along Highland St. This work is expected to take 3-4 weeks. Crews will return in the spring to reconstruct the roadway, curbs and sidewalks.
What to Expect During Construction:
- Work hours will be 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday-Friday.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be maintained but may be restricted for short periods. If you need access and your driveway is blocked, please speak to a crew member on site and they will make accommodations for you.
- Emergency vehicles will have access at all times.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617-349-4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer, at 617-349-9351 / mmiguel@cambridgema.gov. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Highland St Reconstruction Project:
Due to unforeseen utility conflicts on Huron Ave (part of Contract 23A) the work on Highland Road has been slightly delayed. An updated schedule is available on the "Schedule" tab of the project page.
Notice: Chapter 90 Contract 23A Reconstruction Project - Riedesel Ave, Brewster St, Highland St and Huron Ave (Concord Ave to Raymond St.) Work beginning over the next month.
As part of the Chapter 90 Contract 23A Reconstruction Project, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will begin mobilizing in the coming days.
Newport will begin installing tree protection along the street, performing survey and layout work, saw-cutting areas of the roadway and delivering drainage structures. DigSafe markings will also begin appearing on the sidewalk and roadways.
Over the next month, weather permitting, Newport will begin the installation of the water main along Huron Ave between Garden and Raymond Streets. Resident of Huron Ave. will receive a notice with specific details regarding this work. Additionally, notices will be delivered to each individual street detailing work specific to that street as the project progresses.
This project is part of the City’s 5-Year Plan for Street and Sidewalks and will include paving, sidewalk improvements and utility installations.
What to Expect During Construction:
- Work hours will be 7 AM to 4 PM, Monday-Friday.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be maintained but may be restricted for short periods. If you need access and your driveway is blocked, please speak to a crew member on site and they will make accommodations for you.
- Emergency vehicles and City service vehicles will have access at all times.
The addition of street trees is also part of this project and planting will take place at the end of the project during either the fall or spring planting season.
Residents should also be aware of the following:
Back of Sidewalk Tree Planting Program: The term “Back of Sidewalk" refers to the edge of the sidewalk where public way meets private properties. In the case of this program, the City will plant trees along the back of sidewalk, (up to 20 feet off the public way) on private property of interested, eligible owners
Sidewalk material options: It is the City’s policy to replace existing sidewalks with the same material (concrete with concrete, brick with wire cut brick). However, during this project, property owners will have the option of changing their sidewalk for a fee if they choose. More information is available here.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Brian McLane, Engineer, at 617-945-4084 / bmclane@cambridgema.gov. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary. For more info about specific projects visit: www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/cityprojects.
NOTICE: Boring and Pavement Core Samples on Your Street - 5/2
As part of the design process for roadway reconstruction of your street, the City's consultant, through Carr-Dee Corporation, will begin subsurface investigations. The purposes of these investigations is to obtain existing pavement, soil and groundwater conditions. The results will assist in determining the type of roadway reconstruction that will take place on your street.
Boring locations have been selected in areas that will give the best representation of roadway conditions while minimizing traffic and parking disruptions. However, "No Parking" areas will still be designated and a detail officer has been requested to be on-sight to help direct vehicle and pedestrian traffic. "No Parking" signs will be posted 48 hours in advance.
The impacted streets are:
-
Highland St.
- Brewster St.
- Riedesel Ave.
- Huron Ave.
- St. Mary Rd.
- Franklin St.
- Sixth St.
In addition to these test sites, you may start to see utilities markings in the road and on the sidewalk. This is all part of the design phase. You will be notified in advance of any street and sidewalk construction as the project progresses.
Thank you for your patience as we work to improve your street.
NOTICE: Locations Identified for Potential Addition of Street Trees During the Project
The Department of Public Works has received requests from several neighbors on Highland Street about placing additional street trees as part of the reconstruction project.
The City Arborist walked Highland Street recently and we have placed stickers on the sidewalk noting possible locations for new plantings.
Note: The Arborist did not place stickers where public shade trees could impact private landscaping. However, if property owners would like a tree in those locations, please reach out to the City Arborist.
We ask that residents observe these stickers and proposed locations and provide feedback to Public Works about whether they wish for a street tree to be placed at that location.
Please contact our Supervising Engineer and/or City Arborist by April 1, 2018 with any questions, comments, or concerns about the proposed locations:
• Melissa Miguel, Supervising Engineer – mmiguel@cambridgema.gov
• David Lefcourt, City Arborist – dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov
The City also offers a “Back of Sidewalk Tree Planting Program” where the City will plant trees along the back of sidewalk, (up to 20 feet off the public way) on private property of interested, eligible owners. More information is available under the “Documents” tab of this page.
As a reminder, the addition of street trees is part of this project and planting will take place at the end of the project during either the fall or spring planting season.
March 5, 2018
Design concepts discussed at the 2/27/18 community meeting are now available under the "Documents" tab on this page. Residents can also sign up for email updates on this project under the "Contact" tab on this page.
Information and Assistance:
For questions or to receive future updates via email, please contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at driviello@cambridgema.gov / 617.349.4825.
NOTICE: Highland Street Reconstruction Project Community Meeting on February 27.
Highland St, between Appleton Street and Sparks Street, is scheduled for street and sidewalk reconstruction in 2018.
On Tuesday, February 27, from 6:00-7:30 pm, the Community Development Department and the Department of Public Works will be hosting a community meeting in the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School gymnasium located at 10 Buckingham St. Please enter the building via the entrance on Parker St.
The focus of this meeting will be to hear neighbors’ concerns and review preliminary design options for the street. We encourage you to attend, as we value the feedback we receive from Cambridge residents and businesses.
Information and Assistance
The City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The City of Cambridge will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative format, and reasonable modifications in policies upon request. To receive future updates via email, please contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at driviello@cambridgema.gov / 617.349.4825.
November 2017
Surveyors will be on site to begin survey work as part of the design process.
NOTICE: Highland Street Reconstruction Project Community Meeting on Oct. 18
Highland St, between Appleton Street and Sparks Street, is scheduled for street and sidewalk reconstruction in 2018.
City staff would like to work with residents to discuss possible physical changes to the road that could be incorporated into this project to slow vehicles and increase pedestrian safety.
On Wednesday, October 18, from 6:30-8:00 pm, the Community Development Department and the Department of Public Works will be hosting a community meeting in the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School gymnasium located at 10 Buckingham St. Please enter the building via the entrance on Parker St.
The focus of this meeting will be to hear neighbors’ concerns and provide information about options for the street. We encourage you to attend, as we value the feedback we receive from Cambridge residents and businesses.
Information and Assistance
The City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability. The City of Cambridge will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternative format, and reasonable modifications in policies upon request. For more information, please contact Juan P. Avendano, Community Development Project Manager, at 617. 349.4655 / javendano@cambridgema.gov. To receive future updates via email, please contact Dan Riviello, Community Relations Manager, at driviello@cambridgema.gov / 617.349.4825.