Week of April 29, 2024

175 North Harvard Street Project Construction Impacts Update

The following is an overview of the work taking place at the 175 North Harvard construction site at the
future location of the new Harvard University affiliate housing building:

  • Utility work in Ivy Lane began on Tuesday, April 16, and will continue for several weeks,
    primarily during normal working hours. One lane will be maintained for through traffic during the
    work, and road plates will be installed at the end of each shift, reopening two lanes.
    o Please note this utility work will require a 5-hour water service disruption for the
    Continuum building. The shutoff will take place overnight from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. to
    minimize disruption to the residents and businesses. The project team is coordinating this
    work closely with Continuum management.
    o The projected date for this water service disruption is Wednesday, May 8, from 12:00
    a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
    o Police detail will be requested to support this work.
    o Neighbors can anticipate some additional noise from the presence of a work crew and the
    use of equipment and generators. The contractor will do as much work to prep for the
    shutdown as they can earlier in the day to help minimize noise during the overnight hours.
    o Temporary lighting will be used and will be placed to face away from Continuum.
  • The tower crane is operational and will be in use for the next ten months during normal working
    hours. Over the next 4 -6 weeks, the contractor will be using the tower crane to build the elevator
    core. At the end of each shift, the tower crane will be left in weathervane mode with safety lighting
    turned inward.
  • Mud mat placement is complete. Foundation wall rebar installation is in progress as is the
    installation of below grade waterproofing. Small concrete pours continue throughout the week
    during normal working hours.
  • The contractor will be working on Saturday, April 27, to prepare for the second mat slab
    placement, which is targeted for mid-May. More details will be shared next week. All work will be
    completed within the project fence line between 7:00 a.m. and – 4:00 p.m. and will not generate
    significant noise or traffic.
  • A reminder that only construction vehicles are permitted to turn onto South Campus Drive from
    North Harvard Street for safety reasons and to improve traffic flow. All other vehicles are directed
    to access South Campus Drive from Western Ave.
  • Truck traffic in and out of the site will remain steady during standard work hours. Wheel washing
    and street sweeping continues to ensure soil is not being tracked through the streets.
  • On the new American Repertory Theater (ART), work site, crews are building the elevator slabs and
    starting formwork for the foundation walls. Concrete pours and waterproofing operations
    continue this week. The project will be receiving rebar deliveries over the next few weeks for the
    building’s footings and foundation walls.
  • The project’s regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and
    Saturdays as permitted by the City of Boston from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.