Seasonal Construction Impacts
MECHANIC STREET PUMPING STATION
On Monday, July 1, 2024 a DPW work crew will be doing preventative maintenance to the bypass pump in the station parking lot using a crane and machinery in the driveway between 7:30 am and 4:30 pm. Abutters should expect noise from the work as well as disruption to traffic and parking in the area. No parking signs will be posted in advance. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Shane Nicols the City’s Pump Station Foreman at (603) 957-8003 or Erich Fiedler City Engineer at (603) 380-4704.
HANOVER GARAGE
The Hanover Street entrance is now open with new payment processing technology (much like at Foundry Garage). Current Hanover pass holders need new pass cards. To receive a new pass card bring the old one to the main Foundry Garage office. The Fleet Street entrance and exit are also now open. The High Street Entrance is currently closed to support structural work on levels 2 and 3. 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
NO WORK SCHEDULED FOR JULY 4 OR 5.
Cutts Avenue/Chase Drive/Succi Drive
DPW is working on the Cutts Avenue/Chase Drive/Michael Succi Drive area, prepping and paving the streets and sidewalks. Final paving in two weeks.
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. A detour is in place at the Congress-Middle Street intersection with outbound traffic diverted to State Street. (Inbound traffic toward Market Square is allowed). Bridge Street will be closed starting July 1 but the Bridge Street parking lot remains open. This week Phase 2A will continue sidewalk construction. In Phase 2B, Section 1 from Cornwall to Brewster: Install curbing. Phase 2B, Section 3 from Parker Street to Maplewood Avenue: Continue sewer installation at Bridge Street. 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.
Pannaway Manor Sidewalks Project Phase 2
Sidewalk reconstruction on Decatur and Mason Street: Paving driveway aprons and shoulder gravel wrapping up.
For the March 20, 2024 meeting presentation and video recording, additional background 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 Ave. and Hodgdon Brook continues. The road remains closed for out-bound traffic (Cate St to Dennett St), but the in-bound traffic lane is open. Two-way road closure is tentatively scheduled for June 27 to July 1 while installing services from Hodgdon Brook to Woodbury Ave. While the detour is in place the road is re-opened every night.
Access provided to properties within the construction zone. Water & Sewer Services work (Hodgdon Brook to Woodbury Ave) – June 27 to July 1. Water Services work (Woodbury Ave to Pine St) – July 1 to July 3. 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
Work begins Monday, July 1 with the staging of temporary catwalks for workers on the sides of the bridge. This project includes repairs to the culvert and other safety upgrades. 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
No work is scheduled for the week of July 1 through 5. MAC Construction is continuing work on the sewer service and will move on to water services. Everyone who will be affected is now served by the temporary water line. One lane alternating traffic is now 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
The construction crew has mobilized for site prep work. Startup construction is anticipated on Monday, July 8. 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
The contractor continues work on the project to widen Sagamore Avenue and replace the sidewalks. Work will take place over the next two months between the Sagamore Avenue bridge and Little Harbor Road, beginning at Little Harbor Road and working on the outbound lane before shifting to the inbound lane. Flaggers are in place to direct single lane, alternating vehicular traffic.
Corporate Drive Project
Binder paving was laid on Rochester Avenue. Curbing on section 1 of Corporate Drive being completed. Pipe work in section 2 starting.
LITTLE BAY WATER TRANSMISSION LINE VALVE PROJECT
The Valve Improvement Project is replacing obsolete valves on the existing cast iron water mains on either side of Little Bay. City of Portsmouth/Towns of Durham and Newington are working with contractor SUR. As of Friday May 31st, insertion valves had been installed and tested on both water mains that pass under Little Bay. This allows for the isolation of either water main in an emergency. The 20-inch taps have been installed on both the Newington and Durham sides in anticipation of future plans to connect a new third main across the bay. For more information and updates on the project, go to the project website.
I-95 SOUND BARRIER CONSTRUCTION
NHDOT has awarded the Portsmouth soundwall project to Northeast Earth Mechanics. Next the contract goes to Governor and Council for approval and notice to start the project will come approximately 60 days after that.
PEVERLY HILL ROAD COMPLETE STREETS PROJECT
NHDOT has approved the Preliminary Design (the Phase where the project has remained for the past 7 yeas) and has given the City authorization to proceed with Final Design and Right of Way Phase to obtain the necessary land for construction of the project. The PS&E package is then submitted to the DOT for review and approval. Following NHDOT review of next steps, construction could possibly begin as soon as 2025. Go to Peverly Hill Road Complete Streets Project page.
RAIL TRAIL PROJECT
NH DOT continues work on the NH Seacoast Greenway “rail trail” off Banfield Road, including safety barriers where the trail crosses Banfield Road. The project is on schedule with final detailing anticipated by October 2024. In Portsmouth, the route follows the 3.6 miles of the former abandoned rail corridor between Barberry Lane and the Greenland town line. This is a four-phase project on the Seacoast. Phase 1, which is being worked on now, will be a stretch of compact sandstone stretching from Portsmouth to North Hampton.
NORTH CEMETERY SEA WALL
The City received a NH Moose Plate grant to repair the seawall behind the historic North Cemetery. Work is now complete. For more information, visit the project page.
PEIRCE ISLAND ROAD RESILIENCY PROJECT
The work to raise the road and parking area and to install a permeable grass paver driveway is now complete. Reseeding and landscaping is planned for the fall. For more information, visit the project page.