Central Broadway Water Main Upgrades

Recent Updates

Thursday (10/23) and Friday (10/24) Utility Trench Paving on Broadway Terrace

This Thursday and Friday, City contractors plan to mill and repave utility trenches on Broadway Terrace.

Schedule of Work (subject to change due to weather or other factors)

• Milling (removal of top few layers of asphalt) is currently scheduled to take place on Thursday, 10/23
• Paving of utility trenches (portions of the road where utility work took place) is planned for Friday, 10/24
• Work hours are approximately 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

What To Expect During Paving

• Broadway Terrace will be closed to motor vehicle traffic while work is underway.
  • Access will be retained for residents during milling on Thursday (10/23). Access may be restricted during paving on (10/24).
• Access to driveways on Broadway Terrace will be temporarily restricted during paving on Friday (10/24)
  • If you need use of your vehicle during this time, we recommend relocating it in advance.
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be posted along the affected stretch to facilitate paving.

On-site crews and police details are available to help and may be able to assist you in getting to/from your home while work is underway.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions. 

Week of October 14th Overnight Utility Trench Paving  (Updated 10/16 w/ revised schedule)

This upcoming week, beginning Tuesday, October 14th, City contractors plan to repave utility trenches (portions of the roadway where excavation for water utility work took place previously) on Broadway between Main Street and Cedar Street and on Medford Street between Broadway and Norwood Avenue.

Schedule of Work

Paving will take place overnight between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. A preliminary day-by-day scheduling including specific locations of work is included below. 

• Tuesday (10/14)
  • Broadway (Main Street to Medford Street) - Complete
• Wednesday (10/15)
  • Broadway (Main Street to Medford Street) - Complete
  • Medford Street (Norwood Avenue to Broadway)
• Thursday (10/16)
  • Broadway (Medford Street to Ball Square Bridge)
• Friday (10/17)
  • Broadway (Medford Street to Ball Square Bridge) - If not completed on Thursday (10/16)
  • Medford Street (Norwood Avenue to Broadway)

This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other factors.   

What To Expect During Paving 

• Some elevated noise levels and light from construction equipment and vehicles anticipated.
  • Crews will work to limit the most-noise intensive activities to the early hours of work (approximately 7 - 10 p.m.)
• Travel in both directions along Broadway will be maintained throughout work.  
  • Single-lane closures and shifts will be in place to facilitate work. Please observe posted signage.  
• Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians at all times.  
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be posted along the affected stretch to facilitate paving.

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5400 with questions. 

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we complete this essential work to improve our City’s infrastructure. 
 

September 2025 Update

As of this month crews have completed all water utility upgrades planned as part of this project. Crews are now working throughout the neighborhood to restore segments of roadway and sidewalk that were affected by earlier utility work.

Crews are expected to complete this work and vacate the neighborhood over the before the end of October. 

May 2025 Update

Since April crews have been making progress on water main updates along Medford Street between Broadway and Trull Street. This work is expected to be completed in late June. 

Meanwhile, crews has start preparing for work on Broadway. Crews will start at Temple Street and work west toward Cedar Street. This work is expected to continue through the summer and into the fall. 

March 2025 Update

As early as the week of March 31st or soon after, City contractors will begin preliminary work on the remaining water main upgrades planned as part of this project.

What to Expect

Crews will begin work by setting up temporary water mains along:

• Medford Street between Broadway and Trull Street
• Broadway between Cedar Street and Temple Street

Properties along the above stretch will be connected to water utilities via temporary bypass (somervillema.gov/bypass) to ensure they continue to receive service throughout the work.

• Additional notification will be provided prior to properties being connected via temporary bypass.

Some brief interruption of water service may be required during construction (notification will be provided approximately 48 hours in advance.)

Temporary parking restrictions will be required to facilitate work. Please observe posted signage.

Locations of Work (2025 Spring/Summer Season)

Image

Questions?

If you have questions, please email construction@somervillema.gov or call the Engineering Division at (617) 625-6600 x 5400.
 

January 2025 Update

Since the Spring of 2024, City contractors have been working along the Broadway corridor to restore and upgrade water utilities.

Crews are rehabilitating these systems through a combination of cleaning/lining existing water mains as well as by replacing select segments of old main and installing new pipes.

What has been completed so far?

Cleaning and Lining Work

• 14-inch water main on Broadway from Cedar Street to Glenwood Road
• 12-inch water main on Broadway from the Broadway Bridge to Cedar Street
• 12-inch water main on Broadway from Cedar Street to Medford Street
• 10-inch water main on Norwood Avenue from Broadway to Medford Street

Installation of New Utilities

• New 12-inch water main on Broadway from Glenwood Road to Central Street
• New 8-inch water main on Broadway Terrace

What work remains? (Spring '25)

Crews are expected to resume work in April (weather permitting) to complete the remaining utility work. 

Cleaning and Lining Work

• 12-inch water main cleaning and lining on Broadway from Main Street to Temple Street
• 12-inch water main cleaning and lining on Medford Street from Broadway to Trull Street

Anticipated Work Schedule: 

Work will resume in the spring and run through the 2025 construction season  (approximately April through October). 

Daily work hours are approximately 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Traffic Impacts: 

Broadway is expected to remain open to through traffic for the duration of the project. 

• Lane closures and lane shifts may be required during certain phases of the work.
• Some temporary sidewalks closures may be required, but temporary crossing will be provided to ensure pedestrian access

Potential Parking Restrictions: 

During certain phases of the project, there may be associated parking restrictions. Notification of any parking restrictions will be posted no less than 48 hours in advance. 

Other Impacts 

Temporary Water Bypass - Some residences may require temporary water bypass to be installed to ensure continued delivery of water service while new mains are installed. 

• additional notification will be provided to residents prior to installation 

Water Service Interruptions - Brief interruptions to water service will be required during the project.

• Notification for water interruptions will be provided 48 hours in advance via flyer and City alerts. 

Staying Informed

Sign-up for City Alerts - Receive important notifications about this project and work in your area.

Visit our new construction page - Get a comprehensive look at work across the city.

Sign-up for the City's Construction Newsletter - Receive a monthly digest on infrastructure work across Somerville. 

Follow us on Twitter - Tweets about curb-cuts, culverts, and more.