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The City is working to increase safety and enhance mobility for everyone traveling around Davis Square. Our work will deliver new sidewalks, improved crosswalks, and ADA-compliant curb ramps. 

In addition, the City is working alongside the MBTA to upgrade traffic signal equipment and timing at the intersection of Highland Avenue, Holland Street, and College Avenue. 

Sidewalk and Crossing Improvements

Maintaining and improving our community’s sidewalks and crossings is key to ensuring people of all ages and abilities can safely and easily move about the City. 

Upcoming Work

11/10/23 - Schedule Update: City contractor's have made great progress installing new sidewalks around Davis Square throughout the fall. Given this progress, constructions crews will begin work on new sidewalks around Statue Park (originally schedule for Spring 2024) as earlier as Monday, November 13.

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Starting this September (2023) or soon after, City contractors will begin another round of sidewalk and crossing improvements in Davis Square.

Reconstructed sidewalks will consist of concrete panels with brick accents. Concrete sidewalks increase safety and mobility for people of all ages and abilities. 

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Map showing limits of upcoming sidewalk work in Davis Sq.
 

Construction Impacts 

Temporary parking restrictions and short-term detours anticipated. Please observe posted signage.
Notification of any parking restrictions will be posted no less than 48 hours in advance. 

Sidewalk access may be restricted at times to facilitate construction. However, temporary sidewalks will be installed to maintain safe crossing and allow access to businesses and residences along the affected stretch. 

Work to Date

The first new sidewalks were installed on Elm St. between Day St. and Dover St. New concrete sidewalks increase safety and mobility for people of all ages and abilities, while a brick accent is maintained between the new concrete and roadway.

Crews will continue work throughout the fall–proceeding to Highland Ave. (#415-421) and Grove St. before returning to Elm St.

 

New concrete sidewalks in Davis Square with brick accent

Work Completed 2022

Last fall (2022), seven new ADA compliant accessible curb ramps were installed around Davis Square. City contractors also completed installation of crosswalks across Holland St., Dover St., Day St., College Ave. and Highland Ave. The brick surface formerly within these crosswalks was with asphalt to promote safety and increase accessibility for all people crossing the street.

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Map of Davis Square representing work completed in Fall 2022

Signal Upgrades

The City of Somerville is working alongside the MBTA to upgrade traffic signal equipment and timing at the intersection of Highland Ave., Holland St., and College Avenue. 

These changes are intended to increase safety and improve the experience of moving through Davis Square for all users of our roads.

Among the planned changes: 

  • Addition of a flashing yellow signal to indicate that traffic turning right onto Holland St. from College Ave. is required to yield to people crossing. 
  • A priority transit signal will be installed to improve bus service in Davis Square.
  • Phase changes intended to improve safety for people crossing Highland Ave., Dover St., and College Ave. 
  • Addition of bicycle signals at Highland Ave. and the Davis Square busway.

Work on these improvements is expected to begin in early October 2023. Schedules are subject to change. 
 

Stay Informed

Below are a number of ways you can stay up to date on this project and others around the city: 

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.

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