Somerville Ave. at Central Street Milling and Paving

Upcoming Work

12/1 Detour Update - Somerville Ave. (Park Street to Lowell Street)

This is an update about detours on Somerville Avenue (Park Street to Lowell Street) that will be in place through Thursday, December 4, at approximately 4 p.m. to facilitate construction of a new raised crossing at the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Central Street. 

In addition to the 24 hour westbound detour, motor vehicles traveling eastbound will now be detoured during work hours (7 a.m. to ~ 4 p.m.) in order to maintain a safe work zone for construction crews. 

Details on both detours are included below. Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other factors.

Eastbound Detour - approx. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. until 12/4 at 4 p.m.

• Eastbound traffic on Somerville Avenue (toward Union Square) will be directed left on Lowell Street, right on Summer Street, and right on School Street to return to Somerville Avenue.
  • Access will be retained for local residents and emergency vehicles
• MBTA 83/87 inbound (eastbound) service will be maintained as usual. 

Westbound Detour - 24 hours a day until 12/4 at approx. 4 p.m.

• Westbound traffic on Somerville Avenue (toward Porter Square) will be directed left on Park Street and right on Beacon Street to return to Somerville Avenue.
  • Access for residents on Central Street will be maintained via Somerville Avenue. Local residents will be able to proceed straight past Park Street and make the right onto Central Street to get to their homes.
• While through vehicle traffic heading west on Somerville Avenue will be directed left onto Park Street, local residents will be able to proceed straight past Park Street and make the right onto Central Street as usual.
• MBTA 83/87 outbound service (westbound toward Porter Square) service will be detoured.  
  • Outbound stops along Somerville Avenue between Beacon Street and Park Street will be temporarily closed.
    • Connect to route 83 at Beacon St. at Park St. or Somerville Ave. at Mossland St.  
    • Connect to route 87 at Somerville Ave. at Loring St. Or Elm St. at Porter St.
  • Visit mbta.com/bus or see signage posted at affected stops for more information.  

Other Construction Impacts 

• Elevated noise levels from construction equipment and vehicles anticipated.
  • Active construction hours are weekdays, 7 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m.
• Temporary on-street parking restrictions will be in place.
  • Please observe posted signage. 

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

Detour Maps

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About the Project

We’re making the intersection of Somerville Avenue and Central Street safer by slowing vehicles, providing dedicated space for people taking the MBTA's 83 and 87 busses, and making it easier to cross the street.  

What is happening?

Improved Crossings - A raised crosswalk will encourage people driving to slow down and curb extensions will shorten the distance from one side of the street to the other.

Floating Bus Stops - Floating bus stops improve bus efficiency and provide dedicated waiting space for bus riders outside the paths of people walking, rolling, and biking.

Protected Bike Lane - Short segments of protected bike lanes near bus stops on both sides of the street help eliminate conflicts between buses and bikes at stops.