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Traffic Detours at Monsignor O’Brien Highway in Cambridge This Weekend, August 8 and 9

Posted on August 7, 2020

Crane-lift operation enters Weekend 5 as placement of large steel spans across Lechmere Viaduct support columns continues.

Detours for Monsignor O’Brien Highway to begin at 5 AM on Saturday through Sunday evening.


The MBTA announced today it will continue to advance with another series of major crane lifts this weekend at the new Lechmere Viaduct now under construction between the Gilmore Bridge and Lechmere Station along Monsignor O’Brien Highway. The operation, now in its fifth consecutive weekend work window, continues to progress as planned.

The activity is in support of the Green Line Extension (GLX) project. Crane equipment setup and traffic detours will be in place by 5 AM on Saturday, August 8. The placement of large steel beams will support the deck of the new viaduct section. Crane lifts are scheduled from 7 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and from 7 AM to 7 PM on Sunday.

Traffic detours for motor vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists traveling through the area along Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be in place throughout the weekend. The GLX project will extend Green Line service from the new Lechmere Station along 2 new branches to Union Square in Somerville and to College Avenue/Tufts University in Medford.

Anticipated noise levels during the overnight periods are expected to be light to moderate. 

Weekend Detour Routes: August 8 – 9:

On Saturday morning, Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be closed to outbound traffic from East Street to the Gilmore Bridge/Charlestown Avenue in East Cambridge and inbound from Third Street to Cambridge Street. 

During this phase, all motor vehicles traveling outbound (northwest) on Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be directed to bear left on Edwin H. Land Boulevard, make a right on Binney Street, turn right on Third Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

All motor vehicles traveling inbound (southwest) on Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be directed to make a right on Third Street, turn left on Cambridge Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Trucks traveling outbound (northwest) will be directed to make a right at the Gilmore Bridge, turn left on Rutherford Avenue, turn right on Washington Street at the Sullivan Square Rotary, and proceed to McGrath Highway.

Trucks traveling inbound on McGrath Highway will be directed to make a left on Washington Street, turn right on Rutherford Avenue at the Sullivan Square Rotary, turn right at the Gilmore Bridge, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Pedestrians traveling outbound (northwest) on Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be directed to cross over to the south sidewalk and continue on Monsignor O’Brien Highway, bear left on Cambridge Street, turn right on Second Street, turn right on Gore Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Pedestrians traveling inbound (southeast) on Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be directed to turn right on Gore Street, turn left on Cambridge Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Bicycles traveling outbound (northwest) on Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be directed to turn left on Edwin H. Land Boulevard, turn right on Rogers Street, turn right on First Street, turn left on Cambridge Street, turn right on Third Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

Bicycles traveling inbound (southeast) on Monsignor O’Brien Highway will be directed to turn right on Third Street, turn left on Cambridge Street, and proceed to Monsignor O’Brien Highway.

The MBTA appreciates the patience and understanding of motorists and others affected by construction as the GLX Project Team continues to make strides in delivering GLX to the region on schedule. The MBTA also thanks its city partners, municipal leaders, and stakeholder groups for their continued collaboration and support of GLX.
 

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