By City Councilor Sharon Durkan
Dear Beacon Hill neighbors,
If you’ve walked through the Boston Common recently, you’ve likely noticed the temporary fencing along the Beacon Street Mall. Understandably, this change has caught many of us by surprise, and I want to shed light on the reasons behind this project and why it’s important for us to stay informed.
The Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC), a quasi-governmental agency, has installed this fencing as part of a water main rehabilitation project. The work requires a “permanent work zone” along the walking path, and due to the scale of equipment and materials involved, pedestrian access simply cannot be safely maintained in the area during construction. This project, governed by an agreement between BWSC and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, is scheduled to run through April 11th, with the goal of demobilizing completely by that date.
To minimize disruptions, BWSC has committed to installing pedestrian detour signage at Joy, Walnut, and Spruce Streets, directing traffic to entrances at Park and Charles Streets, which will remain open. These signs, requested by the Friends of the Public Garden, are expected to be posted within the next few days.
While we appreciate the necessity of this critical infrastructure work, the lack of communication with our neighborhood prior to the project’s start has been a missed opportunity. Transparent and proactive updates are crucial when projects of this magnitude affect shared spaces like the Common. As a community, we deserve to know about these disruptions in advance so we can better adapt and stay informed.
I hope to work closely with the Friends of the Public Garden and the Beacon Hill Civic Association to better understand how this project is impacting residents’ lives and how we can jointly advocate for the needs of our neighborhood. Collaboration will be key to ensuring that both the progress of infrastructure work and the quality of life in Beacon Hill are upheld.
In the meantime, my office remains available to assist with any questions or issues as the project progresses. Together, let’s advocate for clearer communication while continuing to support the improvements that benefit us all.
Sharon Durkan is the Boston City Councilor for District 8.