What's New

The leaves are falling and DPW is collecting yard waste during curbside pickups and at the Recycling Center. The DPW Stormwater Division suggests there are alternatives to raking and bagging. 

As part of its “Think Blue” public awareness campaign, the Division provides “Rake It or Leaf It?” best practices when it comes to autumn yard work (and has produced a YouTube video to make the point humorously: portsnh.co/rakeorleaf).

The City of Portsmouth Planning and Sustainability Department will host a Market Square Master Plan Public Meeting on Monday, November 4, 2024, from 6 to 8 pm in the Levenson Room at the Portsmouth Public Library (175 Parrott Avenue).

The 29th independently-organized Portsmouth Halloween Parade steps off from Four Tree Island at 7 pm on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The public is advised that there will be significant traffic delays in the parade route area as it passes and motorists are strongly urged to seek alternate routes away from affected streets.

The City of Portsmouth Recreation Department has several family events and activities scheduled to celebrate fall and Halloween, culminating with the City’s Halloween trick-or-treat hours of 5 to 8 pm on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. The Portsmouth Police Department reminds everyone to watch out for trick-or-treaters and the increased traffic on the roads that evening. Other City events and activities include: 

The Portsmouth Department of Public Works is hosting a public meeting to discuss the Route 1 Bypass-Coakley Road-Cottage Street Intersection Redesign Project on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6 pm at the Portsmouth Senior Activity Center (125 Cottage Street). This is a hybrid meeting held in-person and via Zoom. To register for participating by Zoom, visit: portsnh.co/Bypass-Coakley-Cottage.  

The City of Portsmouth Department of Public Works is partnering with HydroPredictions, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, the University of New Hampshire, and Jennifer M. Jacobs and Associates, LLC, on a groundwater monitoring project. The project will assess baseline groundwater levels, water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure, and the vulnerabilities the built environment faces from rising water table levels in Portsmouth stemming from sea level rise.

The City of Portsmouth and their consultants SLR International Corporation (SLR) will host a public meeting on the South Mill Pond Playground Improvement Project on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 6 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. The public is invited to attend to hear from the project team about existing conditions, see results of the online survey, and learn about the next steps for the playground improvements.

About the Project

Governor Sununu and the Executive Council at their September 25, 2024 meeting authorized the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to enter into a contract with Northeast Earth Mechanics, LLC of Pittsfield, NH for the construction of sound abatement walls and privacy fencing along I-95 in Portsmouth. The contract amount is $18,771,486.75. The next step is for NHDOT to issue a Notice to Proceed to the contractor.

The demolition of the five-story, mixed-use, brick and masonry building located at 278 State Street, is scheduled to take place starting at approximately 11:30 pm on Monday, September 30, 2024. The intersection of State Street and Pleasant Street will be temporarily closed starting at 11:00 pm. It is anticipated that the roadway will be cleared and reopened by 6:00 am on Tuesday, October 1. Temporary lighting will be in place for all of the work overnight. 

The City Council will hold a work session on Monday, September 23, 2024, from 6 to 7 pm in Council Chambers at City Hall. The work session will include a review and discussion of the results of the Parking Utilization Study and provide initiatives and strategies for consideration. 

The study includes: