Week of May 20, 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 is ongoing until the end of May, primarily during normal working hours.
    One lane will be maintained for through traffic during this work, and road plates will be installed at
    the end of each shift, reopening two lanes.
    o Work includes street excavation, and cutting and installing fittings to existing water lines.
    o Police details are on site to support this work.
    o Upon completion of this work, the brick pavers will be replaced on the sidewalk and the
    roadway will be patched.
  • A large mat slab placement will take place on Saturday, May 18. As noted last week, this work
    will require extended early morning and late hours to complete.
    o Please be advised that, 1) because of the large size of this concrete placement (over 2400
    cubic yards) and the need to acquire a proprietary, sustainable concrete mix from the only
    supplier that can provide it, Boston Sand & Gravel, and 2) because Boston Sand & Gravel
    is unable to supply greater than 1500 cubic yards of concrete during standard working
    hours, activity on site will begin as early as 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, with pump
    trucks arriving at 4:00 a.m. and concrete trucks arriving starting at 5:00 a.m. Finishes
    may take as late as 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night to complete, though the contractor will
    strive to complete this work earlier.
    o The contractor will do its best to keep noise levels to a minimum, however, neighbors can
    expect to experience some intermittent noise due to the presence of a work crew on site
    and the use of equipment needed to perform this work, including several concrete pump
    trucks, and the Boston Sand & Gravel trucks arriving on site to deliver concrete.
    o We recognize this is disruptive and apologize for the inconvenience. Your patience and
    understanding are appreciated during this necessary activity.
    o South Campus Drive will be closed to traffic that morning from 3:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. to
    accommodate the trucks needed for this operation. Temporary lighting on site will be
    positioned away from the Continuum.
  • The removal of bracing will require the shutdown of S. Campus Drive for several days. The project
    team is finalizing the logistics for this work and more detail will be provided when dates are
    established.
  • The tower crane will be in use for the next nine months during normal working hours. At the end of
    each shift, the tower crane will be left in weathervane mode with safety lighting turned inward.
  • 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.
  • 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, small concrete pours are taking place
    every other day and waterproofing operations continue. The project is working on the building’s
    footings and foundation walls, backfill operations, and duct bank work.
  • Soil is being stockpiled on site and will be covered to minimize dust.
  • Building mock-ups to review design and constructability are underway across North Harvard
    Street.
  • 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.