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 has extended 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 Harvard’s Allston energy infrastructure and is expected to be complete by mid-May. 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 is on the southern (ERC site) side of the roadway to finish backfilling the western trench next week.
- The southern sidewalk has closed in coordination with the work zone. All pedestrians will be detoured to the sidewalk adjacent to Harvard Business School.
- Sidewalks will be restored.
- Duct bank installation is planned in the northeastern corner of the ERC site and will need to connect a manhole at the National Resilience drive, where access will be maintained.
- Duct bank manhole installation will take place on the sidewalk adjacent to the Soldiers Field parking garage off Kresge Way near Western Avenue.
- Appropriate signage and police details or workers will be in place. Work is scheduled to take place in close coordination with Harvard Business School/Housing/Transportation operations.
- No work will take place this Saturday.
- During project hours Monday through Friday from 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) has shifted off Western Avenue to Trotting Avenue near Hague Street as crews work on Milestone Street (the former East Drive).
- All are working in coordination with National Resilience.
- Other utility work installation continues inside the ERC site including a large drainage pipe (NASDEP).
- Finish grading and paving of roadway sections will take place inside the site.
South Campus Drive Utility Work
The section of South Campus Drive and the sidewalk near the McCurdy Track that was closed, is restored and reopened. The interim roadway will remain in place for use in future demolition/construction work.
92 Seattle Street
- Fencing has been installed around the perimeter as crews prepare for the upcoming renovation project.
Western Avenue Steam Manhole Repair
The intermittent nighttime repair work, from 7PM to 7AM, on a steam manhole on Western Avenue closer to the Charles River is finishing up. The work zone will be coned and barreled off while work is underway and opened during the day.
175 North Harvard Street
- Project trailers will be occupied in the 201 Western Avenue lot.
- Landscaping work will continue to take place.
