Crews continue work on the Western Avenue utility crossing which involved temporarily relocating a section of Kresge Way, which opened to traffic in July. Pedestrian and vehicular shifts on Western Avenue to accommodate underground utility trenches and work zones will be in place. The work will continue into spring 2023 and will be coordinated with University operations.
Kresge Way Temporary Relocation
As part of Harvard’s infrastructure improvements in Allston, the University is extending thermal piping and electrical/telecommunications duct banks from the District Energy Facility across Western Avenue to Kresge Way, the main driveway into the HBS campus. An interim drive further west off Western Avenue has replaced the original drive.
Western Avenue Utility Crossing
Work for the utility crossing at Western Avenue will allow for expansion of the Harvard’s Allston energy infrastructure and is expected to be complete next spring. Supporting vehicular, cycling and pedestrian flow, a phased approach is being used to install hot water and chilled water supply and return piping, telecommunications and electrical duct banks across the width of Western Ave. The construction activity consists of six phases to excavate two trenches the width of Western Avenue. Only a third of the roadway will be a construction zone allowing for two, open vehicular traffic lanes at all times, one in each direction.
• A detailed traffic management plan is in place always maintaining two lanes of traffic.
• Excavation and lagging installation will continue in the middle of Western Avenue for Phase 2 work.
• Towards the end of the first week of October this work will move to the northern section of the road closer to Harvard Business School for Phase 3.
• Pedestrians will be rerouted to the sidewalk adjacent to the ERC site when Phase 3 work begins later next week.
• Abutters can anticipate intermittent noise during excavation including use of a vacuum truck.
• Appropriate signage and police details or workers will be in place. Work is scheduled to take place in close coordination with Business School/Housing/Transportation operations.
• Saturday work will take place on October 1.
• During project hours 7AM to 3PM (at times may extend to 6PM), the work will generate noise due to the presence of work crews and the use of construction equipment.
DEF Thermal and Electrical Duct Bank Installation
• The interim DEF access drive behind the construction fence at the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) has opened up.
• All are working in coordination with National Resilience.
Electrical work at Western Avenue
Eversource is replacing a manhole and related work in this area of Western Avenue. This activity will be finishing up in early next week. Crews are coordinating traffic management plans.
Duct bank installation work continues inside the ERC site.
