Wright-Pierce’s calendar series highlights projects from our yearly calendar, illustrating the role of quality infrastructure in strengthening communities. This month’s feature focuses on the North Street Pump Station improvements in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Project Background
Constructed in 1966 at the intersection of North and Adams Streets, the 400-gallon-per-minute (gpm) North Street Pump Station serves approximately 3,150 users in Lexington’s wastewater collection system. Its location adjacent to Vine Brook and within the 100-year floodplain made the station prone to flooding, an issue intensified by increasing storm frequency and the absence of an on-site generator for emergency power. Additionally, the site is near the entrance to the Lower Vine Brook Trail, a pedestrian corridor created by the Town’s Greenways Corridor Committee.
Project Team Services
To address the existing station’s vulnerabilities and allow for continued protection for homes and the local waterway, the Town retained Wright-Pierce to design the station’s needed upgrades. Project improvements included upgrading controls, installing a new on-site generator for emergency backup power, and relocating the pump station to higher ground, with removable flood barriers. To enhance accessibility, an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant (ADA-compliant) pathway now connects Adams Street sidewalks directly to the Vine Brook Trail, replacing an informal dirt path. Landscape design included native plants to restore the area and improve aesthetics for neighbors and trail visitors. To maintain the area’s visual appeal and to blend in with the surrounding neighborhood, installation included a natural stone precast retaining wall. The Town also incorporated an invasive species management program as part of their landscape management plan. The resulting project delivered an upgraded pump station that now meets the current and anticipated future needs of the community.
About the Photo
The accompanying photo, captured by Wright-Pierce Executive Assistant Julia Censullo, shows the completed improvements at the North Street Pump Station site. When reflecting on the project, Project Manager Marc Moccio noted, “This project demonstrates how infrastructure can balance operational reliability, environmental resilience, aesthetics, and community amenities.”
Project Impact
The North Street Pump Station project provides a long-term solution for this critical piece of Lexington’s wastewater collection system, enhancing reliability and flood protection. By improving the accessibility of the Vine Brook Trail and restoring natural landscape features, the project supports the Town’s goals for resilient infrastructure and enjoyable public spaces as well.
Contact us today to learn more about the North Street Pump Station improvements or to request a copy of the Wright-Pierce 2026 wall calendar.