HomeMy Public PortalAboutCommon Street UpdateTOWN OF WATERTOWN
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
124 ORCHARD STREET
WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS 02472
Tel: 617-972-6420
Fax: 617-972-6402
December 7, 2018
Reference: Reconstruction of Common Street from Mount Auburn Street to Orchard Street
Project Update / Work Plan Moving Forward
Dear Residents and Business Owners of the Common Street Neighborhood:
The construction along Common Street is well underway as we are approaching the end of the 2018
construction season. The prime construction contractor, ONYX Corporation, has completed a majority of
the infrastructure improvements along Common Street from Mt. Auburn Street to Middlesex Road and
Columbia Street adjacent to Watertown High School. Final paving and street furnishings / landscaping
along this stretch of Common Street will be implemented once the reconstruction of the remaining segment
of the corridor is complete.
As weather permits ONYX Corporation will continue underground utility installations along Common Street
in the vicinity of Middlesex Road heading towards the Church Street / Orchard Street intersection.
Modifications to the layout of construction staging area at the Spring Street intersection will be implemented
to ensure the Department of Public Works can effectively remove snow from the construction area. The
temporary pedestrian sidewalk, protected by concrete barriers, will remain on the north side of Spring
Street through the winter season. The configuration of the barriers will be slightly adjusted to provide
additional space for vehicles navigating the temporary configuration of this intersection. The installation of
the traffic signal equipment at the Common Street / Spring Street intersection is considered a critical item
for the Town of Watertown. The Department of Public Works is working closely with the prime contractor
to ensure a fully operational traffic signal is installed at the intersection in a timely manner.
Once the snow has melted and the 2019 construction season is underway, the contractor will finalize the
remaining underground utility work. Once the underground utility work is completed, the reconstruction of
the roadway and sidewalks will begin along the second half of the project, including the implementation of
the roundabout at the intersection of Common Street / Church Street / Orchard Street. This work will
continue through the duration of`the 2019 construction season.
Thank you for your continued patience and support of this critical infrastructure improvement project to the
Town of Watertown and its residents and businesses.
Sincerel ,
Gerald S. Mee, Jr.
SUPERINTENDENT
MSTREET LETTER - RESIDENTSIFY19120181205 Construction Update 2018-2019 Season —Common Street. docx