Seasonal Construction Impacts
No construction work on Monday September 2 due to Labor Day holiday.
CITY HALL
On Tuesday, September 3, 2024, the Main Entrance to City Hall will be closed temporarily for roof repairs. Staff and residents will be directed to use the adjacent Seybolt Entrance. Anyone who needs to use the entrance lift to access City Hall will be accommodated.
HANOVER GARAGE
The Hanover Street entrance offers 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 remains closed. for work in that area. Work continues on ramp, concrete and expansion joints on Levels 3-4. 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: no significant work anticipated. Phase 2B, Section 1 from Cornwall to Brewster: no significant work anticipated. Phase 2B, Section 2 Summer to Parker: sewer main and drainage installation; ledge removal. Phase 2B Section 3: conduit installation. 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 substantially complete.
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. Two crews are working as follows:
Week of Aug 26: Crew 1: Completing sewer main on Thornton Street, install/connect water services on Meredith Way (Thursday, August 29) and prep for grinding of roadway (Cate Street to Meredith Way). Crew 2: Continue installing drainage and sewer and water services from Meredith to Thornton Street on Bartlett. Week of September 2: No work on Monday September 2 due to Labor Day holiday. Starting Tuesday, September 3, the crew will begin grinding the roadway: Bartlett Street from Hodgdon Brook to Meredith Way and Woodbury Avenue from Morning Street to Bartlett Street. Crew 1: Complete water main on Thornton Street and start water main on Bartlett Street (Thornton to Dennett). Crew 2: Complete drainage on Bartlett Street (Meredith to Thornton) and start sewer and water services on Thornton 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
Work will continue on the north side of the road, within the work zone located behind the concrete barriers. Bridge closed starting August 26 and continuing through the end of the construction season in November. Traffic is rerouted along detour paths. Pedestrian access will be maintained via the southern sidewalk. 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
After Labor Day, MAC plans to install curbing on Union Street between State Street and Middle Street. They will finish sidewalks after the curb is installed.
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
NOTICE: Orchard Street, Ash Street & Willard Ave. neighborhoods: EARLY TRASH PICKUP on Fridays continues. Trucks circulate around 6:30 AM. N. Granese & Sons has finished installation of all temporary water services for the project. Granese Crew #1 is continuing to install the new sewer main from east to west on Orchard Street and has completed work up through 91 Orchard Street. When they get to Ash Street, they will continue installing sewer main south towards Willard Avenue. Granese Crew #2 is starting to install the new sewer main from east to west on Willard Avenue having installed sewer main as far as 130 Willard Ave and now working their way towards Lafayette Road.
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
The decision on the removal of the trees on City property was postponed by the Trees and Public Greenery Committee to their September 11, 2024 meeting. Work continues with the installation of curbing between the Sagamore Avenue bridge and Little Harbor Road, beginning at Little Harbor in the outbound lane, before shifting to the inbound lane. Flaggers are in place to direct single lane, alternating vehicular traffic. For more information, visit the project page.
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 plans a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 4, 2024 to officially open the NH Seacoast Greenway “rail trail” off Banfield Road. 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.
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