Seasonal Construction Impacts
RTE 1 BYPASS - COAKLEY - COTTAGE INTERSECTION
A public meeting to discuss this project was held on October 22, 2024 at the Senior Activity Center. The video recording and meeting presentation provide more details. The goal of the project is to reduce traffic congestion and associated exhaust pollution while improving traffic flow in this area. The City will has already completed construction of a multi-use path along Borthwick Avenue as part of the project. The next steps in the process are to sign a municipal agreement with NHDOT, conduct a property survey and secure the necessary right-of-way for the connector road. For background and to sign up to receive updates on this project by email, visit the project page.
PORTSMOUTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY ACCESS
The project to rebuild the ADA ramp at the back of the Portsmouth Historical Society building continues. The effort has taken a bit longer than planned due to some unforeseen conditions that had to be resolved. The work crew formed the new ADA ramp on October 24. Once inspected the project will progress quickly. There is temporary ADA access from the staff entrance back door: ring the bell and a staff member will unlock the door for access. There is ADA parking across the street until the project is completed.
HANOVER GARAGE
Work continues on Level 4. The Hanover Garage is in year two of a three-year renovation. Questions? Contact the Parking Office at 603-610-7257. Go to the Hanover Garage Project page for more information.
SEASONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Islington Street Phase 2A & 2B
Crews are completing Phase 2A of construction from Dover Street to Cornwall Street and proceeding with Phase 2B from Cornwall Street to Middle Street. Detours will be implemented when necessary to accommodate contractor operations. Week of October 28 Phase 2B, Section 2: Summer to Parker: the crew will finish installation of sewer and water mains & prepare the road for paving. Removing ledge as necessary but most ledge is removed at this point. The expectation is that sometime next week, this section will get its first layer of pavement and temporary sidewalks. The section of the road from Summer to Brewster will be the only remaining active work zone soon. Parker Street to Maplewood Avenue: Possible installation of brick sidewalks and the brick inlay in the concrete sidewalk sections. General clean-up.Owners/ residents will be notified 48 hours in advance of any scheduled water main shutdowns. For the March 19, 2024 public meeting presentation and video recording, additional background information and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project when it starts, visit the project page.
Bartlett Street Project
Daily closure, 7 am to 5 pm, of Bartlett Street between Woodbury Avenue and Hodgdon Brook continues. Outside this area, outbound lane is closed; inbound traffic allowed. While the detour is in place the road is re-opened every night. Access provided to properties within the construction zone. Two utility crews, one roadway reconstruction crew working as follows: Week of October 28: Phase 2 - Place base materials and grading for sidewalks, possible placement of concrete for sidewalks by end of the week. Phase 1 – Cleanup and site restoration (landscaping, etc.) and prep for bridge rail structural sidewalk at Hodgdon Brook. Week of November 4: Install last sewer manhole at Woodbury and Morning Street intersection. Phase 1 – Construct bridge rail structural sidewalk at Hodgdon Brook. Phase 2 – Complete concrete sidewalk installation and begin reconstructing driveway aprons. For the March 27, 2024 public meeting presentation and video recording, additional background information and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project when it starts, visit the project page.
Maplewood Avenue Bridge Project
Bridge now closed through the end of the construction season in December. Traffic is rerouted along detour paths. For maps of the alternative routes visit the project page. Pedestrian access will be maintained via the southern sidewalk. Week of October 28: Work continues within the bridge closure limits. Construction activities are anticipated to include: Reconstruction of northeast retaining wall. Backfilling behind the northwest retaining wall. Completion of necessary modifications to the existing footings.
The Preconstruction Public Meeting was held on May 7, 2024. For answers to Frequently Asked Questions, the recording of the meeting, presentation and Q&A, please visit: 5.7.2024 Maplewood Avenue Bridge Project Preconstruction Meeting - YouTube. For the meeting presentation, design plans, additional background and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project when it starts, visit the project page.Union Street Project
Week of October 28 The contractor will be grading Coffins Court.Concrete sidewalks will be poured on Union Street on Monday October 28 and Tuesday October 29. Paving of Coffins Ct and driveway aprons on Union Street is planned for Monday November 4. One lane alternating traffic remains in effect. For more information in the April 2, 2024 meeting presentation and video recording and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project when it starts, visit the project page.
Willard Avenue Project
Week of October 28: Continue water main installation on Willard Avenue and Orchard Court and drainage installation on Willard Avenue. The contractor plans to begin water service installations on Thursday, October 31 at the earliest, which will result in short-duration swap-overs for water services. This means that residents will be without water briefly as their service is swapped over from temporary water to the permanent, new water service. In two weeks, the contractor expects to begin excavating the roads to install new gravel, starting on Orchard Street. EARLY TRASH PICKUP on Fridays continues. Trucks circulate around 6:30 AM. If you have any questions, the on-site contractor contact is John McCarthy, Resident Project Representative (603) 498-0298 or contact Zachary Cronin, Assistant City Engineer, at (603) 610-7304 or zmcronin@cityofportsmouth.com. For the April 17 Preconstruction meeting presentation and video recording, more information and to sign up for future email updates, visit the project page.
Sagamore Avenue Project
Work is complete except for utility pole transfers which will continue for the winter. The remaining work will be finished in the spring. For details go to the meeting recording and minutes. For more information, visit the project page.
MARJORIE STREET PUMP STATION
The contractor has begun work. For background information visit the project page.
I-95 SOUND BARRIER CONSTRUCTION
Work begins the week of October 28. 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. For full details and background visit the project page.
NH DOT LAFAYETTE ROAD (ROUTE 1) PROJECT
NH Department of Transportation (NH DOT) hosted a public information meeting on its Lafayette Road (Route 1) Corridor Improvement Project on July 24, 2024. NH DOT has now requested a public briefing which is scheduled to be held on Nov 18 at 6 pm as a City Council Work Session. For background visit the Project Website (Portsmouth 29640) with the full US Route 1 Corridor Plan. NH DOT also advises that anyone with comments or concerns about this project should contact David Smith, P.E. - Project Manager, NH Department of Transportation | P.O. Box 483, Concord NH 03302