Seasonal Construction Impacts
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 High Street Entrance has reopened. The Fleet Street entrance is closed for 4-6 weeks for work in that area. Work continues on ramp, concrete and expansion joints 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. Detour at the Middle-Congress Streets intersection back in effect. Outbound traffic is diverted to State Street. Bridge Street is closed. Bridge Street Parking Lot remains open. Phase 2A continues with sidewalk construction. In Phase 2B, Section 1 from Cornwall to Brewster: continued sidewalk construction. Phase 2B, Section 3 from Parker Street to Maplewood Avenue: Continue water and sewer main installations 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 will continue when the contractor returns.
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. 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. Continue transferring water and sewer services to new mains from Hodgdon Brook to Woodbury Avenue and water services to new water main Woodbury Avenue to Pine Street. 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
Road width reduced to one lane on the river side to accommodate contractor operations. Pedestrians have access to the southern sidewalk. The contractors must remove the concrete to add a structural steel beam. That work will allow the crane needed for coffer dam work to sit on the bridge. At that point, anticipated in mid-August, the bridge will close to vehicular traffic. 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
The contractor, MAC Construction has completed the stormwater drainage collection system. The week of July 22 they begin installing water, which will require a short water shutdown at each home as they connect the service (residents will be notified). Once the water service is complete, MAC will install drainage services to homes so residents can connect sump pumps and downspouts. 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
NOTICE: Orchard Street, Ash Street & Willard Ave. neighborhoods: EARLY TRASH PICKUP on Fridays starting July 12. Trucks will circulate around 6:30 AM. Unitil has completed the gas relocation work on Willard Ave and Ash Street and will finish switching over gas services to the new gas main during the week of July 22. Also the week of July 22, the contractor N. Granese & Sons is installing a temporary above-ground water service main that will be buried where it crosses driveways. The temporary water service connections will require a short water shutdown at each affected home (residents will be notified in advance). No work takes place on weekends without advance notice. 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
Milling and paving on Mon July 22 and Tues July 23 as work continues on the project to widen the road 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 is starting.
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.
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 is now asking the public to participate in a project survey that is posted on their Project Website (Portsmouth 29640) along with the full US Route 1 Corridor Plan. NH DOT also advises that anyone with comments or concerns about this project who was unable to attend the meeting should contact David Smith, P.E. - Project Manager, NH Department of Transportation | P.O. Box 483, Concord NH 03302 at