UPDATE: Massachusetts Avenue Reconstruction Project

The MassDOT’s reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue in East Arlington has been mostly completed until Spring 2016.

State and local officials held the project’s dedication ceremony on Nov. 21.

During the last weeks of the 2015 construction season, the project will address the following elements: Installation of traffic and parking signage.

• Additional tree removals as requested by the Town of Arlington.
• Adjustments to pedestrian lighting in Capitol Square as requested by the Town of Arlington.
• Installation of traffic detection video cameras for new signals.

If weather does not permit, these items will take place in spring 2016.

Depending on their schedules and weather, Verizon, local cable television, and other overhead utilities will be on Massachusetts Avenue in East Arlington between now and spring 2016 to shift their services to new poles. This will happen independently from the MassDOT job.

Once the 2016 construction season begins, typically in early April, the project will complete the following final punch list items:

• Install high friction surface treatment to bicycle lanes at the following locations: o Massachusetts Avenue northbound (towards Arlington Center) just prior to the Massachusetts Avenue and Bates Road signal. o Massachusetts Avenue southbound (towards Cambridge) just prior to the Massachusetts Avenue and Lake Street signal. Install the imprint median on Massachusetts Avenue from Grafton Street to Trowbridge Street.

Once all Eversource utility poles are removed, J.H. Lynch will address the sidewalks and complete work in the following areas:

• Installation of one remaining light pole. o Finish planter bed curbs at Eversource locations.
• Pour concrete sidewalks at the five sidewalk areas currently leveled using asphalt.
• Touch up remaining landscaping with ground cover and mulch and replace any trees which did not survive the winter.
• Remove tree protections on mature trees.
• Remove construction signage.