Restoration items related to the project, including signage and pavement markings, will be completed by the contractor beginning the week of March 21st, weather permitting.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, final paving has been delayed. It will now take place on Friday, August 14th
Notice: St. Mary Road Reconstruction Project - Final roadway paving to take place August 5th
The City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will be prepping and paving St Mary Road beginning on Wednesday, August 5th.
This work is expected to take approximately a day and a half to complete, weather permitting. If conditions are wet on the day of scheduled paving, work will be delayed until the next day. Please visit this project page for any updates regarding rescheduling.
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
•General work hours will be 7 AM to 4 PM.
•Vehicle access in and out of properties will be restricted. Please plan vehicle and parking trips accordingly.
•“No Parking” signs will be posted; please be sure to check dates/times.
•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. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Notice: St. Mary Road Reconstruction Project - Curb and sidewalk work to begin July 13th
As part of the ongoing street and sidewalk reconstruction work on St. Mary Road, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will mobilize on Monday, July 13th 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 St. Mary Road 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. 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 on 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 herehere.
Project Update
Week of 11/4-11/15: Crews will continue to replace the water main and will then move on to replace water services
Week of 11/18: Crews have completed the drainage work, and will finish water services this week.
Notice: St. Mary Road Reconstruction Project: Water Main Replacement Beginning Week of 9/30
In association with The Department of Public Works (DPW) roadway and sidewalk reconstruction project, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will be replacing the old 6” water main on St. Mary Rd. This work is scheduled to begin the week of September 30th. During this process crews will be upgrading the existing 100+ year old 6” cast iron water main with a new 8” Ductile Iron water main which will include all valves, hydrants and water services. This work is expected to take approximately 1 months to complete.
IMPROVING YOUR WATER SYSTEM:
As part of our ongoing maintenance program, we must periodically recondition and replace sections of our water system to maintain the highest quality water at an adequate pressure. Some of the benefits of this work are improved water quality, better flows, increased fire protection and better control of our system.
WATER SERVICE - The water main or your water service may need to be taken out of service to improve the system. During this project we will make every effort to minimize water service interruptions. We will notify you at least 72 hours in advance of any water interruptions and make every effort to minimize impacts to your water service.
PARKING - Some restricted parking will occur during construction and every effort to minimize this inconvenience will be made. Daily work zones will be posted for no parking and every effort will be made to avoid any vehicle towing.
PLEASE WATCH YOUR STEP!
If you live, travel, work or shop in the project area, you'll notice a number of openings in the street to allow access to the water main running across the intersections. All openings will be covered at the end of each workday and will be resurfaced as soon as possible after the project is finished.
LEAD LINED WATER SERVICES:
Crews will be removing all lead-lined water services within this project area and replacing them with copper tubing. If our records indicate that you have a lead lined service, you will receive additional correspondence explaining the process and what steps you need to take. The lead-lined water services will be replaced from the water main to the property line (rear of sidewalk) at no charge to the customer. The cost for replacing the water service from the property line to the water meter will be the responsibility of the property owner. You may elect to retain the services of a contractor of your choice or you can select any of the pre-approved contractors from a list that will be provided with the upcoming lead service notification letter. It is in your best financial interest to have the property side water service work done in coordination with this work. We will notify you in advance if you currently have a lead service line to your property.
IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM:
For any questions or concerns with the St. Mary Rd. Reconstruction Project, please contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, 617-349-4870 / kriley@cambridgema.gov or Emily Paulsen, Engineer, 857-233-8878 / epaulsen@cambridgema.gov. Thank you for your patience and cooperation while we work to improve your water system.
Notice: St. Mary Road Reconstruction Project- Drainage Work to Begin Week of August 19th
As part of the St. Mary Road Reconstruction Project, the City’s contractor, Newport Construction, will begin mobilizing on St. Mary Road this week ahead of the start of drainage work next week, August 19th.
Newport has installed tree protection along the street and will be saw-cutting areas of the roadway and delivering drainage structures to the site this week.
On or about Monday, August 19th, Newport will begin the installation of several catch basins along the curb line to improve drainage along St. Mary Road. This work is expected to take 2-3 weeks, weather permitting. The contractor expects to begin roadway and sidewalk reconstruction work in September with an anticipated completion date for the project of November 2019.
The St. Mary Road 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.
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 Emily Paulsen, at 857-233-8878 / epaulsen@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 23B Reconstruction Project - Franklin Street (Pleasant St to Landsdowne St), Sixth Street (Cambridge St to Bent St), St. Mary Road (Inman Street to Prospect Street) Work beginning over the next month
As part of the Chapter 90 Contract 23B 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. They will also begin digging small test pits to evaluate subsurface conditions. DigSafe markings will also begin appearing on the sidewalk and roadways.
This project is part of the City’s 5-Year Plan for Street and Sidewalks and includes paving, sidewalk improvements and utility installation. The contract is valid through May 2021 for all three streets and while work is scheduled to begin on Sixth St., work on the other streets may take place concurrently. Residents may experience periods of time where the contractor will move crews to another street in the contract before returning to complete the work due to the use of specialty crews to perform different aspects of the project.
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 material for a fee if they choose. More information is available in the "Documents" section of this project page.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kate Riley, Community Relations Manager, at 617.349.4870/ kriley@cambridgema.gov or Emily Paulsen, Engineer, at 857-233-8878 / epaulsen@cambridgema.gov. If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary.
Construction Update: Recommendation to Award Contract
A recommendation will be made this week to award the contract to begin construction on St. Mary Rd. This street is part of a larger package, including Sixth St., St. Mary Rd. and Franklin St. and an overall schedule will be determined once the contractor is on-board
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.
February 2018:
- An follow-up community meeting will be scheduled in early Spring 2018 to discuss initial plans. Please check back for more information once that meeting is scheduled.
NOTICE: St. Mary Road Reconstruction Project Community Meeting on Oct. 25
St. Mary Road, between Inman Street and Prospect 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 25 from 6:30-8:00 pm, the Community Development Department and the Department of Public Works will be hosting a community meeting in Public Works Department’s conference room located at 147 Hampshire Street.
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.