Cambridge Neighborhoods to Get Odors, Traffic Detours as Part of Project

CAMBRIDGE, MA - Strong odors of gas are expected to be in the area of Walden and Sherman streets Thursday and Friday, according to a release from the city. Traffic at the intersection will also be partly shut down.

Eversource Gas will begin an abandonment project in the area of Walden Street and Sherman Street that extends to the Mount Auburn Hospital, the release said. The entire 16 foot gas main that is being abandoned at Walden and Sherman Streets will be depressurized resulting in strong odors of gas in the area, according to a release.

City officials anticipate that there will be calls from the community reporting this odor. Work on this project will begin at 9:00 a.m. and expected to run late into the evening. Although overnight work is not expected, noise variances have been submitted and approved if this becomes necessary, the release said.

On Friday morning work will continue with nitrogen being released into the 16 foot gas main from the feed point at Mt. Auburn Hospital. This nitrogen will displace the remaining gas in the main. The gas will be purged from both purge points on Walden at Sherman as well as Bay State Road at New Street. "There will be some odors associated with this phase of the operation, but not as much as the previous day. Work should be completed by 3 p.m.," the release said.

During this operation, the intersection will be partly shut down, the release said. Traffic on Walden (heading north) will be detoured at Garden Street (heading east) then to Huron Ave (heading north) to Sherman Street (heading west) and back onto Walden (heading north). The traffic on Walden (heading south) will be detoured at Sherman (heading east) to Huron (heading south) onto Garden (heading west) and back onto Walden (heading south), the release said. Traffic heading inbound on Sherman will be maintained. Traffic heading outbound on Sherman will be maintained, the release said.

Those with questions or concerns should contact Eversource customer service at 800-592-2000.