Enterprise Research Campus (ERC)* Phase 1 Enabling Infrastructure Work
Enabling work continues at the parcel of the future Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in Allston across from Harvard Business School (HBS) bordered by the Mass Pike, Western Avenue, Hague Street, and the National Resilience Inc. facility at 500 Soldiers Field Road. Much of the project work, which will continue through this year, involves underground investigations, pre-clearing, trenching, and utility pipes/conduit/utility structure installations. Construction activities will continue through 2024 for the construction of streetscape elements and completion of roadways.
The first phase of the Developer construction work will begin with foundation preparation activity on new buildings including residential, lab/office, hotel, conference center, retail/restaurant space and is currently scheduled to begin in June.
- As the project progresses, there will be an uptick in truck traffic on Western Ave during project work hours, typically 7AM to 3PM Monday through Friday. Trucks will follow approved truck routes to/from the jobsite to ensure they are not traveling on neighborhood streets.
- National Grid has finished installing a section of gas main lines and service on Trotting Avenue and Axle Way inside the ERC site. (National Grid is anticipating having crews work on gas pipes on Western Avenue between Kresge Way and Trotting Avenue later in the month.)
- The interim driveway to Harvard’s District Energy Facility (DEF) shifted to Trotting Avenue.
- Grading and paving will take place the first week of May at Milestone Street, interim Trotting Avenue and Almay Street. All the work is within the site except for some paving to occur around the Almay Street gate at Windom Street.
- Construction noise will continue during work hours.
North Allston Storm Drain Extension Project (NASDEP)
The NASDEP is a project for the Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) that is designed in collaboration with Harvard University to alleviate the inundated existing storm water systems in the North Allston neighborhood. The proposed modifications to the BWSC stormwater management system will significantly improve its performance by providing much needed additional conveyance capacity. The enabling work for the project began in 2021 and once permitted will continue through 2024. The increased capacity systems are designed to extend from the area south of the new Science and Engineering Complex (SEC), connecting to an existing stormwater drain system in Rena Park, routing through the ERC and following behind the National Resilience Inc. (formerly Sanofi/Genzyme) facility before crossing Soldiers Field Road to an outfall in the Charles River.
Major sections of an 84-inch diameter concrete drainage pipe have been placed between manhole structures behind the DEF and off Trotting Avenue. Sheet piles and other piles have been installed near National Resilience to support other underground structures in advance of a National Grid gas relocation at 500 Soldiers Field Road.
- A 48-inch pipe is set to finish being installed adjacent to the DEF.
- The area adjacent to the southern side of the DEF is being restored.
- Crews are doing formwork to prepare for placement of a concrete slab inside an underground stormwater storage area on site. R tank infiltration modules currently stored on the Sears pad will be installed above the concrete.
- Activity on-site is ongoing and in accordance with access and monitoring protocols.
- Truck traffic to and from the site continues using the designated route from Hague Street.
- Noise will continue to be intermittent.
Kresge Way Temporary Relocation
As part of Harvard’s infrastructure improvements in Allston, the University has relocated utilities across Western Avenue, over to and on Kresge Way, the main driveway into the Harvard Business School (HBS) campus. A temporary drive to Kresge Way remains open to the west of the existing drive. Traffic continues to be relocated to this interim drive on Western Avenue.
Western Avenue Utility Crossing
A utility crossing at Western Avenue is finishing up this month and will allow for improvements to Harvard’s Allston energy infrastructure.
Supporting vehicular, cycling and pedestrian flow, a phased approach has been used to install hot water and chilled water supply and return piping, telecommunications and electrical duct banks in two trenches across the width of Western Ave. Only a third of theroadway is a construction zone allowing for two, open vehicular traffic lanes at all times, one in each direction.
- A detailed traffic management plan has maintained two lanes of traffic.
- The sidewalk closest to the ERC has closed in coordination with crews backfilling the southern section of the trench.
- After backfilling, crews will do sidewalk and other restoration work.
- 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 will be in place.
- During project hours 7AM to 3PM (at times may extend to 6PM), the work will generate intermittent noise due to the presence of work crews and the use of construction equipment including a vacuum truck and drill rig needed to perform this work.
- Saturday work will take place early this month.
DEF Thermal and Electrical Duct Bank Installation
- All are working in coordination with National Resilience.
- The interim access drive to the DEF closer to Hague Street is now at Trotting Avenue. It will move back to the Milestone Street area later this month.
114 Western Avenue 3rd Floor Office Fit Out
Harvard Real Estate has substantially completed an office fit-out project on the 3rd floor, minor, punch-list work remains.
South Campus Drive Utility Work
South Campus Drive has been paved and vehicular, cycling and pedestrian traffic has shifted from the temporary roadway back to the original alignment along the McCurdy track.
- Crews are completing punch-list work.
- The interim roadway will remain in place for use in future demolition/construction/utility work.
92 Seattle Street
- Fencing has been installed around the project site perimeter as crews prepare to mobilize for the upcoming renovation.
- Select interior demolition, abatement and other early construction activities are expected to take place later this spring.
- The work will generate intermittent noise due to the presence of work crews and the use of construction equipment including but not limited to jackhammers.
- Work hours will be Monday through Friday, 7AM to 3PM with possible intermittent coordinated Saturday work.
Kresge Way Gas Line Relocation Phase 2
- The initial preparation for the Kresge Way National Grid gas line relocation phase 2 may continue into early this month with soil probe test pits.
- This work will be coordinated to minimize impact to traffic.
175 North Harvard Street
- Three trailer field offices remain occupied in the 201 Western Avenue lot.
- The Blue Bike station will relocate to the McCurdy track side of South Campus Drive.