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March 31, 2023
Building 4
A renovation project is underway on the fourth floor of Building 4 to create space for the Physics of Living Systems. Construction activities are scheduled to proceed through December, with crews working Monday-Friday, 6AM–2PM, with occasional weekend work. Additonal work may occur outside the space on the third floor and in the courtyard. This renovation work will generate some noise from demolition activities. Any activities generating loud noise are scheduled to conclude by 9AM.
While this work is underway, crews will transport materials through the fourth floor of Buildings 10 & 3, to the Building 3 loading dock via the Building 3 freight elevator. Material transport is scheduled to occur before 8AM daily. Access to the corridors and stairwells will not be impacted.
Questions may be directed to Meredith Fydenkevez.
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Building 5
In order to create a new lab, Room 5-011 has been redesigned. Construction is underway. Anticipated work hours are weekdays from 6AM-2PM. Some noise is anticipated during construction, with high level of noise and vibration concluding by 8:30AM daily. During work hours, crews may be carrying materials to and from the Building 7 loading dock. No hallway closures within Building 5 are anticipated, though the hallway may be narrowed to complete work in the adjacent corridor. This project is scheduled through the end of April.
Questions may be directed to Ben Buda.
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Buildings 16 & 56
Several spaces located on the eighth floor of Buildings 16 & 56 are currently being renovated to create a new lab. Work hours are weekdays from 7AM-3PM, with occasional night and weekend hours. Noise and dust are anticipated during construction, with high level of noise and vibration sometimes beginning after noon. Occasionally during construction, crews will complete work outside of the space, including areas on the seventh floor and on the roof. This project is anticipated to last through March 2023.
Questions may be directed to Julie Azzinaro.
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Building 32
Facade repair
Work is underway to repair the masonry façade of the Star element of Building 32. Anticipated work hours are weekdays from 7AM-6PM, with some weekend and evening work expected. Some minor noise is anticipated. The work areas will be cordoned off. Access to the building will be maintained.
See an overview of the project from the info session here.
Questions may be directed to Joanne Kuo.
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Building 42
Construction of the medium temperature hot water (MTHW) structure addition to Building 42 is underway. Anticipated construction hours are 7AM – 3PM, Monday through Friday with some weekend and evening work expected.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on Vassar Street. Cranes, lifts, and saw cutting equipment will be used to perform the demolition operations and materials will be hauled offsite. Noise and some vibration are anticipated during this work, but will not be extensive.
Questions may be directed to John Richards.
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Building 45
Construction activities are underway as MIT proceeds with the College of Computing on the site of Building 44. As part of its mission to enhance the student experience, the project will establish a home for the new College of Computing.
Below you’ll find an overview and high-level schedule for the major phases of construction. Anticipated construction hours are 7AM – 3PM, Monday-Friday with some weekend and evening work expected. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Construction activities
Construction of the College of Computing building is underway. Cranes, construction vehicles, and large trucks will be used to assemble the structure and deliver materials. Noise and some vibration are anticipated during this phase. More information about schedules and dates will be shared as the project progresses. This project is scheduled through the fall of 2023.
- Two-way traffic will be maintained on Vassar Street, though east/west traffic may be intermittently stopped. Construction vehicles will travel through the area.
- The project team will coordinate with other projects along Vassar Street to maintain access around the site.
See the latest two-week look ahead.
Questions may be directed to Travis Wanat.
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Building 46
Energy conservation measures are scheduled to be implemented as part of a full building energy efficiency project in Building 46. The construction phase of the project is underway and will proceed through mid-2023. This work is scheduled to take place daily from 6AM to 3PM.
During this process, crews will access each space to perform the necessary upgrades, potentially including adjusting airflow, installing additional occupancy sensors, relocating or installing diffusers, and upgrading fume hoods. The team is working closely with the departments and room occupants to coordinate the activity as needed. This work will impact every room within these buildings.
See an overview of the project from the townhall here.
Questions may be directed to Jessica Parks.
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Building 54
As part of the Institute’s investment in infrastructure renewal, work is underway to renew Building 54. This work includes replacing the roof system, and restoring the façade and building systems. During this construction, noise and vibration are expected.
The area under Building 54 and to the north and south has been fenced off to define the construction area. During this time, access to the lobbies of Building 54 will be relocated to the southern side of the building through temporary passageways. This relocation is scheduled through the end of the project’s anticipated completion in August of 2023.
Anticipated work hours are from 7AM to 3:30PM daily. The construction vehicles and crane will be entering and exiting the site through the courtyard via Ames Street through the driveway behind Building 50. A police detail will be onsite to direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
See an overview of the project from the 2019 townhall here.
View the latest townhall presentation here.
See the latest two-week look ahead and egress plan.
Questions may be directed to Megan Kefalis.
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Building 55
Construction activities are currently underway as MIT proceeds with a new pavilion addition to Building 54, Building 55. Below you’ll find an overview and high-level schedule for the major phases of construction. Construction hours are 7AM–6PM, Monday through Friday, with some weekend and evening work expected. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Project phases (note these dates are estimates and are subject to change)
- Project mobilization in March included extending fencing along the site perimeter and utility work. Foundation excavation activities are underway. Traffic will increase in the area during this time.
- April – May Foundations: Beginning April 1, sheet piles will be driven into place on the site. This is noisy work. Pile driving activities will be delayed to a 9:00 AM start time to mitigate the impact on residents abutting the site. The team is working with Housing and Residential Life Services to arrange additional mitigation strategies.
- May 2022 – August 2024 Construction and exteriors: Steel structure will be erected along with envelope, interiors, utilities, and landscape.
Entrance and exit relocation
The area under Building 54 and to the north and south has been fenced off to define the construction area. During this time, access to the lobbies of Building 54 will be relocated to the southern side of the building through temporary passageways. This relocation is scheduled through the end of the project’s anticipated completion in August of 2023.
Project overview
Building 55 will provide new meeting places, classrooms, and study areas, and will create a high-profile space to showcase climate and environmental research at MIT. The project brings the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS), the MIT-Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Program, and the MIT Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI) all under one roof, affording greater opportunities for interaction and the cross-pollination of ideas.
Contacts
Questions may be directed to Megan Kefalis.
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Buildings E23 & E25 facade work
As part of the Institute’s investment in infrastructure renewal, crews are scheduled to renew the façades of Buildings E23 & E25. This work includes repairing, replacing, restoring, and repointing the brick and surfaces of the façades. Construction activities are targeted to continue through the summer of 2023, with a break during the winter months. Anticipated construction hours are 7AM – 3PM. During this construction, noise and vibration are expected from façade cutting and chipping work.
Construction is planned to be completed in two phases. The project team is working closely with the occupants impacted by this work and has been meeting with key contacts in each area to review the proposed schedule and share the scope of work associated with the project.
Building E23 laydown area
Please note that during construction, materials for the project will be transported via Amherst Street to the laydown area on the corner of Carleton and Amherst Streets. The Bluebikes rack in this area will remain open and accessible, and access to the buildings and the surrounding area will be maintained.
Questions may be directed to Thanh Nguyen.
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Building E52
As part of the continued effort to repair the limestone façade of Building E52, crews are scheduled to use lifts to perform specific noise testing on Friday, March 31. On Thursday, March 30, the lifts for this work will be stored along Wadsworth Street and in the loading dock of Building E52; please refrain from parking at the loading dock behind E52 during this time.
Loading dock area – March 31
On Friday, March 31, a lift will be used to conduct specific noise tests on the eastern façade of Building E52 from the loading dock. Anticipated hours are 7AM-3PM. Moderate to high levels of noise are expected. During this time, a portion of the loading dock will remain accessible to vehicles; access to the Sloan Garage will not be affected.
West façade – March 31
On Friday, March 31, crews are scheduled to access the upper western building façade by lift, which will be located on the Wadsworth Street sidewalk, to conduct specific noise tests. Anticipated hours are 7AM-3PM. Moderate to high levels of noise are expected. The sidewalk adjacent to Building E52 may be closed during this work, and the work area will be cordoned off. Traffic will remain two-way along Wadsworth Street, though the street may be narrowed and traffic intermittently stopped. Police will be onsite to direct pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Questions may be directed to Joanne Kuo.
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East Campus: Kendall Square Initiative
For the most up-to-date information about the Kendall Square Initiative, visit the courbanize project profile. Click the “Follow” button to sign up for an account and receive notifications about the project. Learn more about the Kendall Square Initiative.
Construction in Kendall Square kicked off in September 2016. Construction hours are scheduled for 7AM – 6PM weekdays, and Saturday from 9AM – 6PM.
Questions about the construction phase of this work may be directed to Holly Sutherland.
Visit the courbanize project profile to review details about the planned activities and to subscribe to construction updates. Subscribe to notifications by clicking the “Login” button at the foot of the “Comment here” box to sign up for an account, and then “follow” the project.
Patient parking for MIT Medical will remain available.
- MIT Medical will validate parking for patients. (Cars exiting the lot without validation will incur a non-refundable $60 fine.)
- Cars that are in the lot for more than two hours are subject to towing. If patients have appointments that exceed two hours, MIT Medical will contact the Parking Office on their behalf.
MBTA Kendall Station work
The MBTA has commenced work at the Kendall Square inbound train station. Access to the station is scheduled to be maintained throughout construction. Signage will be posted directing users to alternate entrances. MBTA passengers are anticipated to be directed to the new headhouse leading to the Kendall Square inbound MBTA station after January 28. Watch for signage and fencing changes.
General Construction Updates
- Police details will be utilized throughout the project area to assist with pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
- Large equipment will be removed and brought to site on and on-going basis. This activity may occur after hours but no disruptions are expected.
- General construction activities will continue on Saturdays. Work will occur within the City of Cambridge allowable work hours, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
See the map for more details.
Questions about the construction phase of this work may be directed to Holly Sutherland.
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East Campus, Medium Temperature Hot Water
A project to install Medium Temperature Hot Water to the East Campus is underway. Updates about the project as it progresses through the area can be found below.
Questions may be directed to Seth Kinderman.
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Building W18: Music Building
Construction activities are underway as MIT proceeds with a new Music Building on and around the site of the Kresge parking lot (behind Building W16). As part of MIT’s mission to enhance the student experience, the project will provide highly advanced performance, rehearsal, and music teaching spaces as well as music technology resources such as a makerspace, research lab, and production labs.
Construction hours are 7 AM – 6 PM, Monday through Friday, with some weekend and evening work expected. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Learn about the new Music Building
To learn more about the project, visit the Capital Projects site.
See the latest two-week look ahead.
Contact
Questions about this work may be directed to Sarah Yazici.
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Building W20
Envelope repair work is underway on the Building W20 terrace adjacent to the Kresge Oval. This project includes the removal and replacement of the waterproofing membrane and concrete repair. Construction activities are planned for Monday through Friday, from 7AM – 3PM. Some noise from concrete demolition and membrane repair is expected; note during finals, work will be limited to activities with reduced noise and impact to the surrounding community.
To accommodate this work, the terrace area will be enclosed with fencing. Access to the main entrances of W20 will be maintained, and pedestrians will be detoured around the construction area. The second-floor entrances on the terrace will remain closed throughout construction. Signage will be posted.
Questions about this work may be directed to Thanh Nguyen.
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Building W41
Construction activities are underway as MIT proceeds with the redevelopment of the Metropolitan (Met) Warehouse, Building W41. The adaptive reuse of the Met Warehouse will provide a new home for the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), including classrooms, design studios, research spaces, faculty offices, and areas for meetings and collaborative activities. Additionally, the space will house the new MIT Morningside Academy for Design and create a location for the largest community-wide makerspace on campus managed by Project Manus. The anticipated target completion date for this project is summer 2025.
Below you’ll find an overview and high-level schedule for the major phases of construction. Standard hours are 7 AM – 6 PM, Monday-Friday, with some weekend and evening work expected. Please note that the schedule is subject to change.
Mass Ave sidewalk closure (Spring 2023)
In order to complete construction work for the Met Warehouse project, the southbound sidewalk in front of Building W41 adjacent to Mass Ave is scheduled to close to pedestrians beginning Monday, February 6, and continuing through Monday, May 1.
During this time, pedestrians will be directed to cross the street at the corner of Vassar Street and again at the corner of Albany Street. Vehicular and cyclist traffic will not be impacted. A police detail will be onsite to direct people around the area.
For the duration of the project, the sidewalk and cycle track adjacent to the building along Vassar Street will close to pedestrians and cyclists for the duration of the project. The westbound cycle track will be detoured to create a shared lane on Vassar Street (the eastbound lane will be unaffected). Pedestrians will be directed to the south side of Vassar Street via existing crossings at the New Vassar Residence Hall and at Mass Ave.
Learn about the Metropolitan Warehouse
To learn more, visit the Capital Projects site.
Contact
Questions about this project may be directed to metwh-reno-info@mit.edu.
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Buildings W87 & W88: West Campus Graduate Residence
In January 2022, construction activities are scheduled to begin as MIT proceeds with the creation of a new graduate residence in West Campus at the site of the West Lot and the Police Station (Building W89).
A Graduate Residence on West Campus
As part of MIT’s mission to advance its commitment to expanding graduate housing, the West Campus Graduate Residence on Vassar Street will add approximately 675 new beds to MIT’s housing stock and will enrich connections with the surrounding neighborhood. Construction is expected to proceed through the end of the summer of 2024.
Construction is underway
Normal construction hours are 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Monday-Friday with some weekend and evening work expected.
Project phases (note these dates are estimates and are subject to change)
- January – April 2022 Site enabling and Demolition: In preparation for demolition and foundation activities, the West Lot is scheduled to close permanently on Saturday, January 15. An email has been sent to all Riverside area parking account holders advising that all vehicles in the West Lot must be moved to another lot by 7:00 PM on Friday, January 14. Parkers may relocate their vehicles to the Westgate Lot across Vassar Street or to any lot within the Riverside area.
- As part of the project, the MIT Police office, currently in Building W89, has been relocated to newly renovated space in W91.
- March – September 2022 Foundations: Piles will be spliced and driven into place on the site. This is noisy work. The team is working with Housing and Residential Life Services to arrange mitigation strategies. This activity will include Saturday work throughout the summer.
- August 2022 – August 2024 Construction and exteriors: Steel structure will be erected along with envelope, interiors, utilities, and landscape. Updates will be sent as the project progresses.
Safety measures throughout construction will include:
- Parallel street parking along certain portions of Vassar Street will be blocked off.
- The westbound cycle track will be detoured to create a shared lane on Vassar Street (the eastbound lane will be unaffected).
- The two Vassar Street crosswalks and the sidewalk in front of the site will be closed, and pedestrians will be directed to the south side of Vassar Street via existing crossings at Simmons Hall and at Amesbury Street.
- The MBTA track pedestrian crossing at Fort Washington Park will be closed to the public during construction, and all circulation will be detoured to the Pacific Street Crossing between Buildings W46 and W59.
- The Cambridge Public School bus stop currently located in front of W89 will be relocated. Details will be sent when the location is finalized.
- Note that the tower crane will move with the wind when not in use; this is normal for cranes like this.
Closure of the railroad crossing
The pedestrian railroad crossing at Fort Washington Park is closed to the public for the duration of construction, and all circulation will be detoured to the Pacific Street Crossing between Buildings W46 and W59.
The traffic pattern in front of the site along Vassar Street has been altered to allow for westbound cyclists to join traffic, and pedestrians have been rerouted to the southern sidewalk of Vassar Street. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout construction. Noise and vibration are anticipated during construction hours. Saturday work is scheduled throughout the summer. Pile driving activities are scheduled to run from March 2022 to September 2022.
See the latest two-week look ahead.
Questions may be directed to west-campus-grad-info@mit.edu.
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Non-MIT work
Albany Street closure
Traffic patterns have shifted at the site of the new Ragon Institute project. Albany Street is inaccessible to vehicular traffic from the intersection of Portland and Albany Streets to the entrance of the Albany Street Garage. This closure is scheduled continuously through the end of construction in 2023.
This proposed closure will occur from the intersection of Albany and Portland Streets to the entrance of the MIT Albany Street Garage (Building N4). Traffic will remain two-way from Main Street to the entrance of the Albany Street Garage (Building N4). The sidewalks along the site on Portland Street and Main Street will be removed during this time. The pedestrian path, located between the Albany Street Garage and the CUP construction site, will not be affected by this project. Signs will be posted to direct pedestrians around the area.
See the map for more information.
Questions about this work may be directed to Steve Allen.
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Eversource work
Eversource is performing exploratory work throughout campus. Locations of work include areas on Ames Street, Memorial Drive, Broadway, Hampshire Street, Third Street, and Vassar Street. During this activity, a truck will set up at various locations along the street or the adjacent sidewalk to perform drilling work. Intermittent heavy noise is expected. Scheduled hours of work are Monday through Friday from 7AM-4PM, with some Saturday and evening work anticipated.
Traffic may be reduced to a single lane; two-way traffic will be maintained, though traffic may be intermittently stopped. The sidewalk may be impassable at the work location, and pedestrians may be directed to use the opposite sidewalk. Police will be onsite to help direct pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular traffic during this work.
For questions, please contact Eversource representatives Charles Eck or Peter Tuttle.
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