Mount Auburn Street: A Complete Streets Project
Most Recent Updates
Last updated on October 31, 2025
Mount Auburn Street Project Update
Week of November 3 through November 8, 2025
Milling
Milling (removal of the top layer of pavement) will take place on Mount Auburn Street between Lloyd Road and Boylston Street beginning Monday, November 3, 2025, and is expected to continue through Saturday, November 8, 2025, in preparation for paving.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, temporary lane shifts will be in place. If milling occurs at the entrance of a side street, traffic will be redirected to the next available side street to access Mount Auburn Street. Detour signage will be posted if access to side roads is restricted or temporarily closed. Any impacts to side road access are expected to be minimal. One travel lane in each direction will remain open on Mount Auburn Street throughout the work.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in this construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Please follow the parking closure signs that are posted by crews starting at 7:00 am each morning. Any parking closure signs that are posted will be removed from the area by 5:00 pm each day.
Sidewalk Installation & Sidewalk Concrete Pouring
Concrete sidewalk installation and pouring will occur on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street, between Arlington Street and Ralph Piteri Terrace, from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Notices will be distributed to properties directly affected within the pouring area. Information on travel and parking impacts is provided below.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
The eastbound sidewalk will be closed for installation and concrete pouring starting on Monday, November 3, 2025 at 7:00am. A bypass sidewalk on the eastbound side will be opened up while this work is being completed.
Traffic on Mount Auburn Street will be narrowed and you can expect lane shifts, however traffic will be maintained in both directions.
Access to driveways and parking lots may be temporarily impacted during sidewalk concrete pouring. Please note that the concrete will require time to cure, and any properties affected during this period will be notified in advance.
Parking Impacts
Parking on the eastbound side of Mount Auburn Street between Arlington Street and Ralph Piteri Terrace will be prohibited while work is active between 7:00am and 3:30pm. "No parking" signs will be posted in the area and removed at the end of the work each day.
Drainage & Tree Trench Installation
Crews will perform drainage and tree trench installation between Dexter Avenue and School Street next week on Mount Auburn Street.
Traffic and Sidewalk Impacts
During this work, you can expect temporary lane shifts and possibly lane closures, but one travel lane in each direction will be maintained on Mount Auburn Street. Work will take place on the sidewalks, but they will remain open and accessible. Business entrances will be maintained as well. Work in these areas will begin at 7:00 am each day and end before 5:00 pm.
Parking Impacts
Street parking in the drainage installation construction area on Mount Auburn Street will be restricted. Construction crews will post parking closure signs in those areas starting at 7:00 am and will be removing them from the area by 5:00 pm each day.
Getting Around Coolidge Square
During construction in the Coolidge Square area, Watertown’s Economic Development team developed the below graphic to help residents get around Coolidge Square, whether by car, bike, bus, or walking. Keep up-to-date with any road closures, bus stop impacts, or parking limitations in the work detailed above!
About the Project
The Mount Auburn Street project was initiated after a conceptual design was endorsed by the Town Council in November 2018. The Project Team submitted the 25% Design to the MassDOT in January 2020, and MassDOT held a 25% Design Public Hearing on November 4, 2021. Since then, the project team has submitted 100% Design plans for the corridor.
The Mount Auburn Street Project will transform the corridor into a Complete Street, providing safe and accessible options for all modes. This project will also provide increased efficiency on the MBTA Bus Route 71, improve traffic operations and pedestrian and bicycle accommodations, improve accessibility in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and improved aesthetics.