Overnight Paving Begins on Cambridge Street

After a month of driving on milled streets with raised fixtures, drivers will soon experience smooth travel on Cambridge Street (Route 3A).

This project has been in the works since at least 2022, when the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), which is responsible for the roadway, began having informational meetings for Burlington and Billerica residents wishing to learn more and provide input into this project.

There is much public debate about this project, with many residents saying bike lanes are inappropriate and disagreeing with the single-lane striping in areas where the current striping is unclear and many drivers have treated it as two lanes, though the road isn't wide enough for two lanes. They also argue that traffic will worsen and travel times will increase.

Others are relieved that there will finally be clarity on a section of the roadway that has long been considered to be confusing and dangerous.

The work is considered by MassDOT to be a maintenance project, meaning no major structural changes are going to be seen, but the striping on the road will be made clearer and some bike lanes will be added in areas outside the Town Center. New curbs have been set, structures have been raised to the proper level, and other preparations have been made to prepare the road for paving over the last month since the road was milled.

Now, paving and striping will begin on Sunday evening, June 22. Work will take place from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM Sunday evening through Friday morning for about 2 weeks, and lane closures are to be expected. Access to homes will be preserved, and one lane of travel in each direction will be maintained, according to a press release from MassDOT.

Work will travel from the south end, at Burlington High School, and continue to Cook Street in Billerica.

MassDOT offers these recommendations for residents wishing to learn more:

• Download the Mass511 mobile app or visit www.mass511.com to view live cameras, travel times, real time traffic conditions, and project information before setting out on the road. Users can subscribe to receive text and email alerts for traffic conditions.
• Dial 511 and select a route to hear real time conditions.
• Follow @MassDOT on X (formerly known as Twitter) to receive regular updates on road and traffic conditions.