The Beacon St. Reconstruction Project officially kicked off on Monday. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Charles Lane

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) conducted the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Beacon St. Reconstruction Project Monday morning.

Attendees gathered at the Durell Community Garden for a short speaking program followed by a photo opportunity to officially kick off the expected two-year project.

Newport Construction, which was selected through a competitive bid process administered by MassDOT, will be responsible for the project which stretches from Oxford St./Somerville Ave. south to the Cambridge city line near Inman Square.

Beginning on Monday, and lasting for approximately two weeks, contractors will undertake what is considered to be the “most disruptive” portion of the entire project. Contractors will work to install a single, 28’ deep utility manhole in the Oxford St. area that will require the closure of Beacon St. to eastbound traffic between Beacon St. and Oxford St., between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and approximately 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

During these hours, eastbound traffic will be detoured on Somerville Ave. to Park St. Vehicles and cyclists will be able to access Oxford St. by traveling westbound on Beacon St., and all westbound traffic on Beacon St. will be maintained.

Cyclists will be also be detoured up Park Street to pick up the dedicated bike lanes on Beacon Street. The city will also be posting secondary detour routes for bicyclists traveling towards Porter and Inman Square.

To learn more about the project go to: http://www.somervillema.gov/beaconstreet.