GCEP Project Update

Hello Linda,

Thank you for opting in to recieve regular email updates on the Greater Cambridge Energy Project (GCEP). Please see below for the latest updates on construction activity in your area.

Ames Street Traffic Detours

Ames Street (Northbound and Southbound) will be closed 24/7 between Amherst Street and Memorial Drive starting on Monday, June 2. Motorists will follow posted detour routes.

Ames Street (Southbound) will continue to be closed during working hours, 7am to 4pm, between Main Street and Amherst Street. Northbound traffic will be maintained. Motorists will follow posted detour routes. Bike lanes will remain operable.

Trench Excavation and Duct Bank Installation Begins

Installing underground electric transmission lines occurs in stages. First, crews excavate and place concrete vaults (manholes) along the project route. Once some manholes are set, crews excavate a trench between manholes and install duct bank - a series of tubes that eventually house the electric cables. After duct bank is installed in a trench, the area is backfilled to ground level and restored.

The typical process includes:

Sawcut existing pavement or concrete
Excavate trench and remove soils, area is covered daily with steel road plates.
Install duct bank into excavated trench
Backfill and temporarily restore trench

The first two areas where trench excavation and duct bank installation are beginning on GCEP are on Linskey Way and on Third Street in Cambridge.

Photos shown are for illustrative purposes only.

Construction Update

June 2 - June 13

City of Cambridge

Approved construction hours in Cambridge

Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Occasional activities may be performed beyond these hours or on weekends based on approval from local officials.

Ongoing activities

Broadway:
Crews are installing transmission line conduit within the new substation site, off the roadway at 121 Broadway.

Third Street:
Excavation activities are ongoing off the roadway at the corner of Third Street and Broadway (Volpe parcel) to backfill recently installed underground vaults and to install duct bank. The trench excavation and duct bank installation will soon transition onto Third Street and progress towards Linskey Way throughout the summer months.

Linskey Way:
Both underground vaults have been set on Linskey Way.
Crews have begun trench excavation, progressing toward Third Street. Work to excavate trench and install duct bank will continue during the summer months.
Temporary sidewalk barriers north of the roadway will be maintained to safely secure the work zone in this area. Pedestrian detours may be necessary.

Ames Street:
Initial enabling work on Ames Street to support upcoming vault and duct bank installation has been completed.
Starting on June 2, crews will begin excavation activities to support the installation of underground vaults and duct bank. This will necessitate a closure on Ames Street between Memorial Drive and Amherst Street. Motorists should follow posted signage.

Galileo Galilei Way:
Two underground vaults have been set between Main Street and Broadway. Crews are currently working to backfill and temporarily retore these areas. Additional work is not planned at this location until 2026.

Traffic Configurations

Construction activities will generally be done utilizing lane restrictions or alternating lane traffic patterns. If detours are necessary, clear signage will be posted to direct motorists and cyclists. Please continue to check the project website for updates and postings of traffic plans.

Linkey Way will be one-way, allowing traffic from Third Street towards Second Street (west to east). Eastbound motorists will be detoured from Second Street, to Binney Street, to Third Street, to reconnect with Linskey Way. This traffic pattern will continue regularly during daytime work hours throughout the summer months.
Southbound traffic on Ames Street will be detoured at Main Street, to Wadsworth Street. Northbound traffic on Ames Street will remain open between Amherst Street and Main Street. This traffic pattern will continue during daytime work hours. Additionally, starting on June 2, there will be a permanent closure of Ames Street (northbound and southbound) between Memorial Drive and Amherst Street. Motorists should follow posted detour signage.