Week of May 6, 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 in mid-April and will continue until the end of May, 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 scheduled 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 several 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.
  • A large mat slab placement is currently planned for Thursday, May 16. This work will require
    extended early morning hours to complete and potential road closures. More info will be provided
    next week.
  • 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, May 4, to install rebar and plumbing drain lines in
    preparation for the large mat slab placement targeted for May 16. All work on Saturday 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.
  • 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
    formwork for the foundation walls. Concrete pours and waterproofing operations continue. The
    project will be receiving rebar deliveries over the next few weeks for the building’s footings and
    foundation walls.
  • Building mock-ups to review design and constructability are underway across North Harvard
    Street. Masonry work will be taking place on Saturday, May 4.
  • 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.