Crews continue work on the Western Avenue utility crossing which involved temporarily relocating a section of Kresge Way last summer. Pedestrian and vehicular shifts on Western Avenue to accommodate underground utility trenches and work zones are in place. The work will continue into spring 2023 and is being 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 in the 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 trenches the width of Western Avenue. Only a third of the roadway is 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.
- The work zone on the southern side of Western Avenue will shift to the middle of the roadway for excavation and lagging install on Friday, January 20 and will continue working there for more than a week.
- Pedestrians have shifted to the Harvard Business School sidewalk while crews continue to excavate the western trench on the south side of Western Avenue along the ERC site.
- Abutters can anticipate intermittent noise during excavation including use of a vacuum truck.
- Appropriate signage and police details or workers will be in place to provide guidance to pedestrians and vehicles. Work is scheduled to take place in close coordination with Harvard Business School/Housing/Transportation operations.
- Saturday work will take place on January 21.
- During project hours Monday through Friday, 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, Utility Installation and Road Work
- The interim DEF access drive behind the construction fence at the Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) will shift in coming weeks as crews prepare to work on Milestone Street (the former East Drive).
- All are working in coordination with National Resilience.
- Other utility work continues inside the ERC site including a large drainage pipe installation (NASDEP) and a National Grid gas main and service installation.
- Curb work will continue next week on Western Avenue where the future Trotting Avenue meets Western Avenue. Pedestrians are shifted to the Harvard Business School sidewalk.
South Campus Drive Utility Work
A South Campus Drive diversion temporary roadway has opened while crews install utilities (thermal and ductbank) near the McCurdy Track. Vehicular, cycling and pedestrian traffic has shifted from the new work zone and will be maintained throughout the work activity into spring 2023.
- Crews are fusing thermal pipes inside the trench behind the site construction fencing.
- The work will generate intermittent noise due to the presence of work crews and the use of construction equipment including excavators, and a possible vacuum truck needed to perform this work.
- Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7AM to 3PM with intermittent coordinated Saturday work.
