The groundbreaking event was held in Cambridge on Broadway, the site of Eversource's first underground substation — the largest in the country at 35,000 square feet. The substation will be located 105 feet underground beneath new public green space between Broadway and Binney Street and integrated into BXP's Life Sciences Center at the former Kendall Center Blue Garage site.

On October 6, 2025, work began on the first portion of the electric distribution resiliency upgrades needed in the area to improve electric reliability and integrate the distribution lines into the new underground substation being constructed between Broadway and Binney Street. Work kicked off on Binney Street between Third Street and Fifth Street. 

In partnership with BXP, excavation at the future underground substation site reached a final depth of 120 feet below ground. This final depth excavation milestone, achieved in late fall, highlights the strong coordination, dedication, and commitment of all teams involved in advancing the Project.

On November 12, 2025, the GCEP team held a Pre-Construction Open House in Somerville. The event, held at 101 South Street in Boynton Yards, successfully brought together community members, neighborhood groups, businesses, and others to meet with representatives from the GCEP team and discuss the work scheduled to begin in Somerville in early 2026.

Our Project Engagement team has enjoyed meeting many of you in-person at our various “pop-up” events that have held in areas nearby our work. We are looking forward to continuing these efforts as work progresses into other areas. 

We also enjoyed continuing to get out into each community and volunteer at events. It’s allowed us to meet new people and learn more about local organizations — and we’ve had a lot of fun doing it. 

It was a busy and exciting year for GCEP, and we remain filled with enthusiasm as we move ahead into the new year. We look forward to continuing to keep you informed and aware of upcoming activities, Project happenings, and milestones. Thank you for your continued support and interest.

Happy Holidays!



City of Cambridge

There will be no work in the public right of way in observance of

Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

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.
• Approved Saturday work hours:
• 121 Broadway: 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Daytime work on Memorial Drive is permitted Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Nighttime work on Memorial Drive is permitted Sunday evening through Friday morning between 8 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Ongoing activities

• Broadway:
• Crews are installing transmission line conduit within and beyond the new substation site at 121 Broadway. This activity is occurring off the roadway progressing towards Third Street, Monday through Saturday.

• Galileo Galilei Way:
• Crews are installing manholes and duct bank associated with electric distribution line work between Broadway and Main Street. Work at the Broadway intersection will occur on Saturdays with work on Galileo Galilei Way occurring weekdays. Lane restrictions will be necessary. 

• Binney Street:
• Crews are installing manholes and duct bank associated with electric distribution line work between Third Street and Sixth Street. Activities include enabling work followed by underground distribution vault and duct bank installation. This will continue for several months progressing towards Galileo Galilei Way.

•  Second Street: 
• Crews have resumed excavation activities to support the installation of underground duct bank between Linskey Way and Athenaeum Street. This work will occur Monday through Friday with potential work on Saturdays pending city approval. Motorists seeking Second Street from Binney Street will be detoured and should follow posted signage.

• Ames Street: 
• Construction activities have necessitated a 24/7 road closure on Ames Street between Memorial Drive and Amherst Street. Motorists should continue to follow posted signage.
• Cyclist and pedestrian traffic has shifted from the east side of the road to the west side of the road between Memorial Drive and Amherst Street.
• Another crew is excavating to install underground duct bank heading north toward Main Street for the P13 Project route.
• Starting mid-anuary 2026, pedestrian traffic will shift from the east side of the road to the west side of the road between Amherst Street and Main Street, and a nw traffic pattern will be implemented.

• Memorial Drive:
• Crews are excavating to install underground duct bank from Vassar Street progressing toward Ames Street.
• Daytime work is occurring Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• From January 5 to January 31, nightime work will occur Sunday evening through Friday morning, 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
• Vassar Street:
• Crews are conducting field tests, or test pits, in various locations between Memorial Drive and Main Street to identify the location underground utilities and characterize soils. This activity will continue for several months, maintaining traffic with lan restrictions and alternating lanes.

 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.

• Ames Street remains closed 24/7 between Memorial Drive and Amherst Street. During daytime hours, southbound traffic on Ames Street continues to be detoured at Main Street, to Wadsworth Street and northbound traffic on Ames Street will remain open between Amherst Street and Main Street. This daytime detour may be expanded to 24 hours in mid-January.
• Westbound motorists on Binney Street seeking Second Street will be detoured to Third Street, then Linskey Way to connect to Second Street. Eastbound motorists will be detoured to First Street, then Linskey Way or Athenaeum Street to connect to Second Street.

City of Somerville / City of Boston

There is no construction planned in Somerville or Boston at this time.

Please continue to check this newsletter for updates.

View our project animation video below!

Visit the GCEP Website to learn more

Have a question about the Project or its approved routes? Please reply to this email with any questions or to setup a meeting.