Somerville Reconstruction Project Breaks Ground on Beacon Street

SOMERVILLE, MA - MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone on Monday broke ground on the Beacon Street reconstruction project.

The purpose of the two-year project is to reconstruct the portion of Beacon Street in Somerville, including new asphalt, sidewalks, grading and drainage work that will improve traffic flow, bicycle and pedestrian access, according to a city release. The project will include a combination of on-street marked bike lanes and cycle track paths. This project will be Somerville's first roadway project that will include an exclusive cycle track.

The project will also include traffic signal upgrades between Oxford Street and the Cambridge line.

On May 16, crews began the most disruptive phase of the project to install a 28 feet deep utility manhole in the area of Oxford Street. For approximately two weeks, crews will close the eastbound side of Beacon Street in the Oxford Street area between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday while construction proceeds.

“I am thrilled to see this portion of Beacon Street reconstructed to help support economic growth for the Somerville residents and businesses that travel in this area. Through projects like these, we can prove that the car is no longer king in Massachusetts and that we all share our public space -- driver, cyclist and pedestrian alike.” said MassDOT Highway Administrator Tinlin.

Newport Construction was selected as the construction firm. The project is estimated to cost $11 million.

“Our residents and local merchants along the Beacon Street corridor have been living with antiquated infrastructure for more than a decade, and the negative impacts have included poor drainage, pedestrian accessibility and traffic safety. I am extremely happy to finally see this long-awaited project get underway. I appreciate the public’s patience during the first phases of construction, and I applaud our partners at MassDOT for their hard work to push this work across the finish line,” said Mayor Curtatone during the groundbreaking event at the Durell Community Garden next to the intersection of Beacon Street and Kent Street.

“As not only the representative for the Beacon Street district, but also an abutter, I know how long overdue this project is and I am so happy to announce its start, at long last. I also know how important the communication process is, and so we’re going to push the envelope by using drop-in office hours and community walking meetings in addition to the existing communications methods the City already employs. I encourage residents and businesses to stay informed, and join us throughout the project to learn about the improvements that are about to be underway,” said Somerville Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston.

Photo courtesy of city of Somerville. From left to right, Frank Suszynski, Highway District 4 Project Development Engineer, Paul Stedman, District 4 Highway Director, MassDOT Highway Administrator Thomas J. Tinlin, Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Maryann Heuston, Somerville Ward 2 Aldermen, Brian DeFelice of Newport Construction, Ken Carlson, Chair of the Somerville Bicycle Committee.