HomeMy Public PortalAboutCommon Street Work Update NoticeTOWN OF WATERTOWN
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (P) 617-972-6420
124 ORCHARD STREET (F) 617-972-6402
WATERTOWN MA 02472
Gerald S. Mee Jr.
Superintendent
COMMON STREET WORK UPDATE AND PEDESTRIAN PLAN
SCAN THE STREET
FOR WHEELS AND FEET
August 30, 2018
Over the summer, the Town has begun construction along Common Street from Mount
Auburn Street to the Church Street/Orchard Street intersection, including portions of
Columbia Street and Spring Street as part of the Common Street improvement project.
The scope of the project includes the full reconstruction of each roadway with the
objective of increasing safety and improving operations for all users within this corridor.
General information is available at the Town's web -site:
http://www.watertowndpw.org/173/Common-Street
Construction will continue during the fall. As students are heading back to school, safety
through the active construction zone is paramount. DPW, working with the School
Department and Police Department Traffic Division, has developed a temporary
pedestrian safety and control plan shown on the next page.
Pedestrian Impacts
• Sidewalks adjacent to the High School will be completed prior to the beginning of
school, with sidewalk, curbing and other work continuing on the Phillips School
side of Common Street, the north side of Columbia Road, and other portions of the
full work area.
NftticeslCommon Street Work Update Notice.doc
• Pedestrians wishing to access the High School or Common Street from the Spring
Street area should use the crosswalk on the north side of Spring Street. A
pedestrian push -activated crosswalk awareness sign is being installed to cross
Common Street at the Spring Street intersection as a temporary measure until the
traffic signal is installed. During school pick-up and drop-off periods, police details
will assist with traffic control at the intersection of Common and Spring Street.
• Pedestrians accessing the High School from the Mount Auburn Street area should
use the sidewalk on the east side of Common Street, next to the Cemetery and
High School.
• Pedestrians accessing the High School from the Orchard Street area should use the
existing pedestrian activated crosswalk at the Hardy Market to use the sidewalks
on the east side of Common Street.
School Pick-up and Drop -Off
• We ask that parents refrain from drop-off/pick-up along Common Street.
• Parking on the Phillips School side of Spring Street, between Marshall Street and
Marion Road will be prohibited, but may be used passenger loading/unloading
during pick-up and drop-off times.
Street Closures and Detours
• Two direction traffic will be maintained on Common Street during the morning
rush hour. The project team aims to keep through traffic on Common Street
outside of rush hour as well, however lane closures and delays should be expected.
Seek alternate routes. Additional road closures and detours will be made if
determined by DPW and the Police Department Traffic Division to be in the best
interest of public safety as work continues.
We appreciate the patience that motorists, pedestrians, and abutters have had during
this complex construction project. As school begins, it is important that all roadway users
exercise extra care and caution in the work area to maintain safety for everyone.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. If anyone has questions regarding the
project, or the temporary traffic control plan described above please contact the Public
Works Department at 617-972-6420.
NftticeslCommon Street Work Update Notice.doc
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