GLX To Demolish Part Of Lechmere Viaduct: Detours Announced

SOMERVILLE, MA — Demolition of the Lechmere Viaduct between the Gilmore Bridge and the existing Lechmere Station in East Cambridge will start Saturday, June 6. The work is part of the relocation and reconstruction of the new Lechmere Station for the Green Line Extension project.

Demolition will start this weekend and continue for approximately two weeks, followed by overnight work. During weekend work, vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic will be detoured around the work area.

During the following two weeks, traffic detours will not be in place on weekdays, though lane closures may occur.

Northbound/outbound traffic will be diverted starting at 9 p.m. Friday through 5 a.m. on Monday, June 8. The weekend activity will primarily involve the installation of safety barriers to prevent debris from falling outside designated work zones.

Following the weekend preparation work, the elevated deck structure will be cut into sections and lifted out of the work area by crane to reduce vibration and dust impacts to nearby buildings. The hours of operation for demolition activity are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week, with demolition expected to last approximately two weeks. While this work will be ongoing during weekdays, lanes of traffic may be closed, but traffic will not be detoured.

Overnight work will follow and is expected to include cleanup and staging in preparation for further demolition activities the following day. Upon completion of this upcoming demolition work, the process for reconstructing the viaduct will continue through the summer.

Weekend Detour Routes:

Beginning Saturday morning, June 6, the northbound (outbound) lane of Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be closed to through traffic from Charlestown Avenue (Gilmore Bridge) to Leighton Street.

During this phase, all pedestrians traveling west will be directed to follow Monsignor O’Brien Highway on the south sidewalk, make a left on Cambridge Street, turn right on Second Street, turn right on Gore Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Trucks and motor vehicles will travel south on Edwin H. Land Boulevard, turn right on Binney Street, turn right on Third Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Bicyclists will be directed to travel south on Edwin H. Land Boulevard, turn right at Cambridge Place, turn right on First Street, turn left on Cambridge Street, turn right on Third Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.