Traffic and construction updates - Needham-Newton Corridor Project

Traffic advisories and construction information

MassDOT encourages drivers to avoid the area and seek alternate routes to minimize delays. Those traveling through the area should expect delays and should reduce speed and use caution.

The schedule for this major infrastructure project is weather dependent and subject to change without notice.

Full Depth Roadway Reconstruction Begins Sunday, April 7

MassDOT's contractor, P. Gioioso & Sons, will begin full-depth roadway reconstruction work from the Bridge over the Charles River to 191 Needham Street in Newton, beginning Sunday, April 7. This work is expected to last one month.

This overnight work will be completed in three sections. The first section of work will include Needham Street from 191 Needham Street to the Oak Street and Christina Street intersection.

Next, the second section of work will consist of the Oak Street and Christina Street intersection.

The final section of work will be the Bridge over the Charles River.

This work will take place over multiple nights beginning Sunday, April 7 from 8:00 PM each night to 6:00 AM the following morning.

This work will require a vehicular detour. Police details will be present to facilitate this traffic pattern and variable messaging boards will be in place to display the most up-to-date information.

While crews are working at the Bridge:

Vehicles traveling towards Needham Street from Highland Avenue should:

• Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
• Turn right onto 4th Avenue
• Turn left onto Kendrick Street, which becomes Nahanton Street
• Turn left onto Winchester Street and continue straight to Dedham Street

Vehicles traveling towards Highland Avenue from Needham Street should:

• Turn right onto Oak Street
• Turn left onto Elliot Street
• Continue straight onto becomes Central Avenue
• Turn left onto Gould Street to Highland Avenue

Needham-Bridge Over Charles River Detour Map

 

When crews are working on the Oak Street and Christina Street intersection:

Vehicles traveling from Highland Avenue in Needham towards Newton should:

• Turn right onto 2nd Avenue
• Turn right onto 4th Avenue
• Turn left onto Kendrick Street, which becomes Nahanton Street
• From Nahanton Street, turn left onto Winchester Street
• Continue to the Dedham Street intersection

Vehicles traveling from Winchester Street in Newton towards Needham should:

• Continue straight onto Winchester Street
• Turn right onto Nahanton Street
• Turn right onto 4th Avenue
• Take a slight left onto 2nd Avenue
• Take a left onto Highland Avenue

Vehicles traveling down Oak Street towards Needham should:

• Turn right from Oak Street onto Chestnut Street
• Turn left onto Elliot Street
• Continue straight onto Central Avenue
• Turn left onto Gould Street
• Continue straight towards the Highland Avenue and Gould Street intersection to take a right

Vehicles traveling down Oak Street towards Newton should:

• Turn right onto Chestnut Street
• Turn right onto Elliot Street
• Take a slight right onto the Boylston Street/Route 9
• From Boylston Street/Route 9, take the offramp to Winchester Street
• Take a left onto Winchester Street and continue straight to the Winchester Street, Needham Street and Dedham Street intersection

Vehicles traveling down Christina Street towards Needham should:

• Take a slight left onto Bernard Street
• Turn left onto Wallace Street
• Turn right onto Winchester Street
• Take another right onto Nahanton Street, which turns into Kendrick Street
• Turn right onto 4th Avenue
• Continue straight and take a slight left onto 2nd Avenue
• Take a left onto Highland Avenue

Vehicles traveling down Christina Street towards Newton should:

• Take a slight left onto Bernard Street
• Turn left onto Wallace Street
• Turn left onto Winchester Street
• Continue straight to the Winchester Street, Needham Street and Dedham Street intersection

Oak and Christina Detour Map

 

When work is being completed on Needham Street from 191 Needham Street to the Oak Street and Christina Street intersection:

Vehicles traveling from Highland Avenue towards Newton should:

• Take a left onto Oak Street
• Turn right onto Elliot Street
• Continue straight on Elliot Street and take a slight right onto Boylston Street/Route 9
• Take a slight right onto the Boylston Street/Route 0 offramp towards Winchester Street
• Take a left onto Winchester Street

Vehicles coming from Winchester Street or Dedham Street towards Needham should:

• Turn right or continue straight onto Winchester Street
• Take a left onto Boylston Street/Route 9 westbound onramp
• From Boylston Street/Route 9, take a left onto Elliot Street
• Continue straight and take a left onto Oak Street
• Take a left at Highland Avenue towards Needham

Needham Street Detour Map

Project updates

Reconstruction work on the Bridge over the Charles River is ongoing and is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2024.

As of December 2023, roadway and sidewalk reconstruction work in Newton on Winchester Street, from Needham Street to Centre Street, is complete. Needham Street roadway reconstruction work is partially complete and will continue in 2024.

The project’s various utility owners have completed stormwater utility work along the project corridor and are continuing overhead utility work. 

Looking Ahead

The contractor will continue full-depth roadway reconstruction and paving work in Newton along the remaining section of Needham Street between the Oak Street and Christina Street intersection and Nexus Plaza (between Jaconnet Street and Industrial Place). The contractor will also resume installation of curbing, sidewalks, and driveways on Needham Street between the Winchester Street and Needham Street intersection and the Nexus Plaza (between Jaconnet and Industrial Place) before installing final pavement and pavement markings.

In Spring 2024, the project contractor will finish paving and install pavement markings and signage from Wexford Street to the Bridge over the Charles River. They are also scheduled to complete sidewalk restoration work in Needham as well as loam, seeding and plantings.