Seasonal Construction Impacts
MARKET, DEER, HANOVER AND HIGH STREET WATER WORK
DPW is planning additional work on the water main around Deer and Market Streets during Thursday night, April 25. Water will be shut off starting at 12 midnight and lasting until about 5 am on the following streets: from the intersection of Hanover and High Streets to the intersection of Hanover and Market Streets. And from Hanover to Deer Street along Market Street.
MAPLEWOOD AVE. & CONGRESS STREET INTERSECTION
Starting Monday, April 22, Severino Construction is removing the temporary sidewalk pavement at the corner and constructing the permanent brick sidewalk. The work is being funded by the 147 Congress Street project developer at the City’s request and is anticipated to take a few weeks but will be completed before the intensive visitor season. The area in front of Jimmy’s Jazz and Blues Club and the Maplewood side of the former Health Food Store (now Bao 155) will also be impacted.
PEVERLY HILL ROAD PAVING
Starting Monday, April 22, DPW will be using a new crack-sealing technique to improve the road surface paving. Flaggers will be in place when alternating one way traffic is needed. The work will continue through May 3.
SKATE PARK CONSTRUCTION
Construction on the parking area began April 5. This will limit available on-site parking at times. All construction is planned to conclude by the May 18 ribbon-cutting. the Skate Park is open, dawn to dusk. For details, visit the Skate Park page.
MECHANIC STREET
On April 9, a DPW work crew used a crane and other heavy equipment to do maintenance work on a pump inside the Mechanic Street Pumping Station. The pump has been sent for repair. For 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.
HYDRANT FLUSHING
The DPW Water Division continues its seasonal routine flushing of fire hydrants and water mains. The flushing takes place at various locations, Monday through Thursday, between 7 am and 11 pm, and is expected to take six weeks to complete. Hydrant flushing can result in discoloration in tap water, but the water remains safe. Once flushing is completed in their area, customers can check their water clarity by running cold water to flush their plumbing systems. If the discoloration persists, customers should report the issue on the DPW Click ‘n’ Fix system to ensure a prompt response.
HANOVER GARAGE
Elevator Area Work Starts April 15, 2024
The project’s current phase includes work above the Hanover Street Entrance/Exit which requires the temporary closure of that primary entrance/exit. This phase of the project is expected to be completed by April 26, 2024. However, the garage is reduced to two vehicular entrance points and one exit – High Street entrance only and Fleet Street entrance/exit – until this phase of the project is completed.
Garage repair work has extended to the elevator area, limiting access as follows:
- April 22, 2024 – April 26, 2024: No elevator access from Level Two (Level One access restored)
- The elevator will be fully operational on all but one level at any given time during the elevator closure period.
The elevator will remain in operation from each of the other levels. Temporary signage will direct patrons to levels with elevator access and staff will ensure access and provide assistance as needed. During this period, the High Street entrance and the Fleet Street entrance and exit remain open. A temporary Parking Office is now located at the Fleet Street Entrance.
Go to theHanover Garage Project page for more information.
SEASONAL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Islington Street Phase 2A & 2B
Construction on the Islington Street Corridor Reconstruction Project has resumed with single-lane alternating traffic and flaggers in place. The work will complete Phase 2A of construction from Dover Street to Cornwall Street and then move onto Phase 2B from Cornwall Street to Middle Street. This week Phase 2A is completing sidewalk work. Phase 2B work takes place between Cornwall and Brewster for the installation of temporary water and for sewer work. Brief water disruptions are anticipated between Cornwall Street to Brewster Street to connect residents to the temporary water main. 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
Phase 2 begins with tree removals and the planting of trees to replace those removed in Phase 1, April 29 to May 10. Sidewalk demolition and reconstruction will start the week of May 13. 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
Work has begun, starting with underground utility prep from Hodgdon Brook towards Woodbury Avenue. The Contractor, Albanese D&S, has installed the temporary water main. Over the course of the next few days, the temporary water main will be tested prior to placing it into service. Upon acceptance of the tests, properties from Hodgdon Brook to Thorton Street will be transferred over to the temporary water main. The Contractor will notify the property owners prior to the transfer as water will be shut off to the house during the activity (approx.. 15 minutes at each property). Once all the properties are transferred to the temporary water main, the existing water mains in the street will be turned off. This work is expected to be completed between April 28 and May 1. It is anticipated that on May 1, the project will begin work on the sewer main. This work will require Bartlett Street to be closed between Woodbury Avenue and Hodgdon Brook. There will be a detour in place to direct traffic around the construction zone. Access to properties within the construction zone will be provided.
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 Preconstruction Meeting
This project includes repairs to the culvert and other safety upgrades. The Preconstruction Public Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 6 pm in City Hall Conference Room A, 1 Junkins Avenue. This is a hybrid meeting held in-person and via Zoom. Click here to register for participation by Zoom. For additional background and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project when it starts, visit the project page. Work is anticipated to begin in early June.
Union Street Project
Residents affected by this phase of the project will be asked for access to basements to determine where sewer lines should align with the project. For the April 2, 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.
Willard Avenue Project
Construction on this project is anticipated to start with utility work on April 29, 2024. For the April 17 Preconstruction meeting presentation and video recording, more information and to sign up for future email updates, visit the project page.
Corporate Drive Project
The Corporate Drive project is underway. Construction is expected to begin in earnest this week, starting in the area of Goosebay Drive.
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 to install temporary erosion control measures, temporary driveway access, culvert, stone wall dismantling and construction staging. For more information and updates on the project, go to the project website.
I-95 SOUND BARRIER CONSTRUCTION
NH DOT anticipates starting construction on the I-95 Pannaway Manor sound barrier in April 2024 once final plans are approved in mid-March. NH DOT plans another public meeting, date TBD.
WOODBURY AVENUE
Based on input and feedback received, the City Council has referred this project back to Parking & Traffic Safety. For more information, visit the Woodbury Avenue project page.
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 to clear and grade the NH Seacoast Greenway “rail trail” off Banfield Road and to remove railroad ties. The final stone dust riding surface is anticipated to be completed by Spring of 2024. 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. Additional work including removal of the old RR ties and final stone dust riding surface anticipated to be completed by Spring of 2024.