May 1, 2026 - A small single-engine plane crashed into O’Loughlin Pond in New Salem, MA early Friday evening. There are no impacts to the water quality at this time. Staff will continue to monitor the situation.
Saugus River Crossing, Replacement of a Portion of Section 56 Watermain (MWRA Contract 7486)
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) has begun a new construction project to improve water distribution service within the Northern High Service Zone by replacing a portion of the Section 56 pipeline in the Cities of Revere and Lynn. This section of water pipeline was previously attached to the General Edwards Bridge over the Saugus River, but was removed in 2018 due to severe corrosion. Prior to removal, it provided critical redundancy for the MWRA Northern High Service Zone (this pipeline provides redundancy to portions of Lynn, Lynnfield, Marblehead, Nahant, Peabody, Revere, Saugus and Swampscott).
Since this portion of the Section 56 watermain has been inoperable, it has made the Northern High Service Zone vulnerable to disruptions in water supply if the pipe providing the primary water supply to these areas were to fail. The MWRA is currently in the process of replacing this pipeline by installing a new section in the ground under the water of the Saugus River. Once complete, this project will ensure water system redundancy and reliability for the MWRA Northern High Service Zone, as well as increased water pressure and other benefits.
The $9.4 million project was awarded to Bond Civil & Utility Construction in Medford, MA in 2025.
Summary of Scope of Work:
The project will install approximately 4,800 feet of water pipeline, using an open-cut method for work on land (2,000 feet of water pipeline) and a trenchless underwater pipeline construction method called horizontal directional drilling (HDD) to cross the Saugus River (2,800 feet of water pipeline). HDD is a trenchless method of installing underground utilities particularly suited for installing pipelines beneath obstructions and minimizing surface impacts. The major components of the project are as follows:
Installation of 20-inch diameter water main and appurtenances, including fittings, valves, air release valves, and blow-offs in Hanson Street in Lynn, from the existing Section 56 pipeline in Route 1A to the Saugus River HDD crossing point;
Installation of a 20-inch water main under the Saugus River using HDD methods. The HDD section of the water main is approximately 2,800 feet long;
Installation of 20-inch water main including fittings, valves, air release valves, and blow-offs in Rice Avenue in Revere, from the Saugus River HDD crossing point at the Point of Pines Yacht Club to the existing Section 56 pipeline between the Route 1A northbound onramp and the Lynnway; and,
All other required work during construction, including but not limited to environmental controls, traffic management, replacement of utilities, surface restoration, road reconstruction and pavement restoration, and sidewalk reconstruction.
Please note, property owners within approximately 250 feet of the project will be offered a free pre-construction survey of their property at no cost prior to the start of construction conducted by GZA. Notices regarding the pre-construction surveys will be mailed to property owners in early September 2025
Updates
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Project Updates
The MWRA’s contractor, Bond Civil & Utility Construction in Medford, MA, continues to make progress in advancing the Saugus River Crossing project, which will improve water distribution service in the area by replacing a portion of the Section 56 pipeline in the Cities of Revere and Lynn.
However, freezing temperatures have compounded the project, requiring the contractor to spend significant time each day breaking ice in order to continue drilling operations.
Unfortunately, this additional effort is taking invaluable time away from completing the project.
In order to prevent a schedule delay, the contractor will be working 7:00AM to 7:00PM, Monday through Saturday, within the Point of Pines Yacht Club parking lot, starting on Monday, January 19, 2026.
It is important to note that it is critical that this project is completed on time or it will further impact the Point of Pines neighborhood, requiring either a prolonged stay this winter/spring season or a return next fall.
The Section 56 Saugus River Crossing Replacement Project is underway in Lynn and Revere and includes the installation of a new water main alignment beneath the Saugus River.
Replacement of the existing river crossing using horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
Installation of air valve chambers and associated support structures
Timber piles were removed and reinstalled, these timber piles are original and needed to be put back in once work was complete.
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24-inch Water Main on Hanson Street in Lynn
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Setting Air Valve Chamber on Hanson Street in Lynn
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Air Valve Chamber on Rice Avenue in Revere
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Bulkhead Wall Timber Piles (Vertical & Battered)
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Timber Pile Extraction
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Setting 54-inch Casing for HDD at Drill Entry Location
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Drone footage of Saugus River Crossing pre-construction
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Drone footage of Saugus River Crossing pre-construction
On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the MWRA’s contractor, Bond Civil & Utility Construction in Medford, MA, will be working along Hanson Street in the City of Lynn from 7:00AM to 3:30PM.
A crew will be working within the shoulder of the roadway in order to advance the project.
No traffic lane closures are expected and vehicles will be able to traverse through the site in both directions of the roadway.
Additionally, proper signage and a police detail will be on site to assist motorists.
As a reminder, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is expected to commence work along Rice Avenue in the City of Revere’s Point of Pines neighborhood starting the week of Monday, September 15, 2025.
The work is in support of the Saugus River Crossing project to improve water distribution service in the area by replacing a portion of the Section 56 pipeline in the Cities of Revere and Lynn.
This upcoming segment of work will focus on pipeline construction along Rice Avenue between the Lynnway and Fowler Avenue.
A detour will be in place during work hours, which will be Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 5:00PM.
Detour signage and police details will be on site to assist motorists and pedestrians around the work site.
During non-work hours, nights and weekends, the detour will be lifted, and roadway plates will be utilized to enable normal traffic operations.
This work is expected to take approximately eight to ten weeks to complete.
Once completed, the MWRA’s contractor, Bond Civil & Utility Construction in Medford, MA, will transition into the Point of Pines Yacht Club’s parking lot for the remainder of the work; total completion of the work is expected to be accomplished in March 2026.
Additionally, in Spring 2026, roadway and sidewalk restoration will begin along the project’s worksite areas.
On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 6:30PM, the MWRA and its contractor will conduct at public meeting at the Point of Pines Yacht Club (28 Rice Ave, Revere, MA 02151).
Representatives will provide a status update of the project, known impacts to the neighborhood, and a schedule of the ongoing work.
Additionally, the traffic management plan will also be discussed, which will require Rice Avenue to be closed to motorists and pedestrians between Whitin Avenue and Fowler Avenue during work hours.
Additionally, homes within 250 feet of the work will receive a certified letter from GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., which is the subcontractor hired by Bond Civil & Utility Construction to conduct pre-condition surveys on residential properties at NO COST to the homeowner.
Pre-condition surveys are done prior to work commencing for the benefit of the homeowner to document the pre-existing conditions of a property before work starts.
MWRA recommends that homeowners who receive the certified letter to please consider scheduling an appointment at their convenience.
