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Western Avenue Reconstruction

What's Happening Now

A community meeting was held on June 8th, 2011 at the Cambridge Community Center. The first hour was a design open house for neighbors to view the design and ask questions of staff and consultants. The next hour was a presentation about the utility portion of the project, and a general construction schedule, including discussion of upcoming construction this summer by private utilities. These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

Currently, final design plans are being developed and the project is planned to go out to bid in early September, 2011. It is anticipated that a contract will be awarded in the fall and work on the public utilities could begin prior to the end of 2011. The total project construction is anticipated to take approximately 2 years, with the surface restoration generally happening in 2013 or the latter half of the project.

Conceptual design for the surface was selected in the fall of 2010. The Conceptual Design is shown here.

The conceptual design includes the expansion of Cronin Park at Pleasant and Franklin Streets. New features include a rain garden, seating, grass and landscaped area as well as an artist-designed project called "Breaking Bread" by Matthew Mazzotta. The work consists of a custom designed table and fixed chairs lit by metal "baroque" inspired chandeliers. (see Public Art, below, for details). A concept plan for the park may be viewed here.

A Community design booklet may be found here:This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

• Community Design Process booklet, June 2010 (5.4 MB)
  

Join the Western Avenue email list and learn about the project and upcoming construction:

If you would prefer to receive notifications by postal mail please use this form.

View a summary handout about the project.

View a flyer distributed to residents in January 2010.This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

Community Walks

These informal walks were led by city staff with occasional outside guests. The walks provided opportunities for neighbors to learn more about the project, and provide input to city staff. The walks were free and open to the public. Each walk started near Central Square, went down Western Avenue to the Charles River, and back.

View some photos of past walks.

Upcoming Walks

• None scheduled; check back for updates.

Past Walks

All walks will be held RAIN or SHINE. In the event of rain, we will sit inside for part of the time before the walk.

About the Project

Western Avenue is scheduled to be fully reconstructed beginning in fall, 2011. The underground stormwater and sewer system, roadway and sidewalks will all be replaced from Franklin Street to Memorial Drive. The redesign considers all street users: walkers, bicyclists, bus riders and drivers. The public process began in January 2010. Neighborhood walks and community-wide meetings have been held. An advisory committee met regularly. Following are the project goals that were developed in conjunction with the Advisory Committee:

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Community-wide Public Meetings

These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

All community-wide public meetings will be held at the Citywide Senior Center at 806 Massachusetts Avenue in the Walter Milne Ballroom, from 6:00 P. M. - 8:00 P. M., unless otherwise noted. View location map.

Western Avenue community-wide public meetings are also listed on the citywide Calendar of Events.

Advisory Committee

In January, 2010, the City of Cambridge appointed an advisory committee to represent a cross-section of resident and business interests in the corridor. Advisory committee members will participate in meetings and discussions, review written material, and advise the city on design issues associated with the reconstruction of the Western Avenue corridor. These issues range from overall design of the street as a multi-modal corridor, to discussing surface material, lighting and plantings/green space.

Members of the Committee:

Meeting Dates, Agendas, Notes and Materials:

These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

All advisory committee meetings will be held at the Citywide Senior Center at 806 Massachusetts Avenue in the Walter Milne Ballroom, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM (unless otherwise noted). View location map.

Western Avenue Reconstruction Advisory Committee meetings are also listed on the citywideCalendar of Events.

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Public Art

We are very pleased to announce that $100,000 of the Western Avenue construction budget has been set aside to commission an artist to complete a public art project associated with Western Avenue. This is standard practice for large street rehabilitation projects.

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Resources

These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.

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For More Information

For more information about the Western Avenue Reconstruction project call Jeff Rosenblum, jrosenblum@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4615. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

Sign up to receive updates by email or postal mail.

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