Construction Forces Change in Shuttle Routes

Students who ride the Harvard Shuttle Service to the Science Center will now have to get off in front of Sparks House, across from Memorial Hall, due to construction along Oxford Street.

The shuttle schedule and times will not be affected, however, said Carl A. Tempesta, the shuttle services manager.

"We have redirected our routes," said Tempesta, who estimated that the new stop would be about 50 yards away from the old.

For at least the remainder of this academic year, shuttles will stop at Johnston Gate, then turn right and follow Cambridge Street through the underpass.

Shuttles will then turn left on Quincy Street, and left again on Kirkland Street, where they will stop directly across from Memorial Hall.

And officials are optimistic about the comparative efficiency of the new stop.

"It's worked out great," Tempesta said. "It's turned out to be a great alternate stop."

The shuttle rerouting came about after the city of Cambridge announced a need to repair worn-out sewer pipes underneath Oxford and Kirkland Streets. Sections of both streets will be closed to traffic, said Brian C. Culver, project coordinator for engineering and utilities.

Starting today, access to the northern part of Oxford Street is open only to special permit holders and delivery vehicles that fall within specific weight limits. This is a change from last week's announcement that the street would be closed altogether.

Culver added that Harvard Law School students now have vehicular access to the law school campus.

However, all sections of Oxford Street south of Cruft Hall will be closed to all non-emergency traffic, according to a statement released by Ron W. Whittingham, acting manager of parking.

Last Thursday, the city of Cambridge announced another closing.

The portion of Kirkland Street between Sumner Road and Francis Avenue is now closed. Its traffic has been routed via Irving Street.

Construction along this section of Kirkland Street will be completed in about three weeks, Culver said, at which point construction alongside the Science Center would begin.

Also because of the new route, shuttles no longer run to the Pound Hall stop on the law school campus, but students may catch them at one of two nearby stops: either Johnston Gate or the new Kirkland Street stop.

The Holden Green shuttle stop has been suspended until construction along Kirkland Street is completed.

Tempesta added that students need not alter their schedules based on the changes.

He said Harvard Transportation Services (HTS) would keep students updated of any changes as they occur both through fliers on shuttle buses and messages on its web page. In addition, Tempesta urged students to call HTS with any questions.

"Our primary goal has been that safety comes first," said Tempesta.