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 and American Repertory Theatre (ART):
- Exterior swing staging and a scaffolding lift system are set up on the buildings to assist with curtainwall installation. Some swing staging will be removed by early August. Multiple masonry crews are working on all sides of the building. Brick work is expanding around the building and brick deliveries have increased. Two cranes are operating on site on different areas of the building. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades continue work on multiple levels. Interior fit outs and framing continues throughout the building. Miscellaneous deliveries to the hoist will continue. Elevator installation remains ongoing in the north tower. Drywall work continues and dry wall deliveries take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturdays, throughout the summer. Small utilities inside the site continue. Telecom duct bank installation and backfill is underway. Framing and sheathing are complete on the tower. Roofing installation is ongoing. Window installation continues with less than 100 windows remaining. Smaller concrete placements continue.
- South Campus Drive will be closed to vehicles between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 28, to accommodate a crane needed to hoist roofing materials. For the remainer of the week of July 28, excluding Saturday and Sunday, the contractor will need to close South Campus Drive periodically between 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The road will be open to traffic each day after 5:00 p.m.
- The contractor may need to utilize one lane of Ivy Lane in front of the project gate to unload materials. Access to Ivy Lane for the general public and the Continuum, Sloane’s, and Trader Joe’s deliveries will be a priority. If necessary, construction delivery vehicles will be diverted until they can unload in a way that does not impede traffic on Ivy Lane.
- When South Campus Drive is closed, all traffic leaving the Continuum and Trader Joe’s parking garage will be instructed to make a right turn only out of the garage. Signage will be provided to divert traffic as needed, and police details will be on site to provide assistance. The signage will be covered after the end of each shift so vehicles can use South Campus Drive.
- A light pole has been removed along the walking path adjacent to McCurdy Track along South Campus Drive to provide truck turn radius access for trailers.
- Wheel washing and street sweeping continue to ensure soil is not being tracked through the neighborhood streets.
- On the new American Repertory Theater (ART) work site, mass timber installation continues along with wood deliveries. Work continues on the front section of the building closest to North Harvard Street. Stair installation is underway. Work will shift to the west to continue the front section this month. Additional trades are on site for masonry work, roof level parapet work, and slab on deck pours. Mechanical system work is underway with equipment on site. All mechanical, electrical, and plumbing trades are mobilized. Roofing work continues. Some drywall work is taking place. Exterior wall work has begun.
- A police detail is assigned to North Harvard Street/South Campus Drive to help facilitate mass timber trailer deliveries. Wood protection trades and mechanical systems installation continues as mass timber gets installed. Columns, beams, stairs, wall panels, beams, and flooring have been installed in two sections of the new building with work on the front of the building in progress.
- Drones are flying over the site on a bi-weekly basis to capture project progress.
- Work will be taking place at the affiliate housing building on Saturdays, July 26, and August 2, to do some exterior wall sheathing, window sealants, and interior framing, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work, and masonry. This work is dependent on the weather. Some Saturday work can be expected each week going forward.
- A crew at the ART project will be working on mass timber and some roofing on Saturday, July 26. Saturday work is expected through the winter.
- Finishes and design review of the stage flip-up gallery will take place the week of July 28 at the ART building mock-up 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.
- Off-hours water management may be needed for the ART mass timber roofs and structures during and after rain events.