Congress Street

Project Overview

The project includes the full replacement of sewer collection, water distribution, and stormwater infrastructure from Maplewood Avenue to a point approximately 100’ beyond (East) of the Fleet Street intersection. This portion of work will also include the restoration of Congress Street in the fall of 2026 beginning after Labor Day.

Like the Vaughan Mall project, the work can be disruptive to pedestrians and traffic. Similar barricades will be used as required to aid pedestrians in the vicinity of the work zones as were used during work in the Vaughan Mall work to maintain access to businesses. Crews will maintain at least one lane of vehicular traffic and safe sidewalk passage; however, some work days will require the temporary closure of Congress Street and/or the Fleet Street intersection during working hours in which case detour routes will be established.

The City is proceeding with this work over the winter in an effort to limit impacts to businesses. It is expected that the major utility work and most significant impacts to businesses will be completed over the winter leaving temporary roadway and sidewalk reconstruction for the spring. Work is scheduled to take place daily, Monday through Friday but there may be brief interruptions if conditions become too severe for crews to work effectively.

A pre-construction public information meeting for the project was held on December 9, 2025.

Background

The work on upper Congress Street is the second part of Phase 1 of the sewer separation project of the Fleet Street Area that is being required by the City's Long Term Control Plan and Supplemental Compliance Plan. The project includes new water, sewer and drainage upgrades along with full streetscape rework and other pedestrian enhancements.

Given the scope of this larger Fleet Area project, it is being completed in phases:
Phase 1, infrastructure work in the Vaughan Mall and upper Congress Street area that began September 1, 2025.
Phase 2, a new drain line down Maplewood Avenue to the drainage outfall at North Mill Pond and
Phase 3, Fleet Street from Hanover Street to Court Street.

Project Team

City Staff: Dave Desfosses, Construction Project Manager, (603) 766-1411, djdesfosses@portsmouthnh.gov

Area of Impact

Project Updates

For the week of June 15, 2026:

The City completed this phase of the project on June 13. The roadway is fully open to traffic. Final paving and sidewalk restoration will occur in the fall. Details will be posted once available and finalized.

For the week of June 1, 2026:

The City is working toward the goal of paving June 8-10 and completion of this phase of the project by June 13.

Road excavation and gravel work continues on Congress Street.
Gas relocation and conduit installation within intersection of Fleet Street & Congress Street
Congress Street reduced to one lane
Fleet Street closures throughout the week

For the week of June 8, 2026:

Road excavation and gravel work continues on Congress Street.
Paving anticipated on Tues June 9.
Road striping anticipated on Thurs June 11.
Congress Street reduced to one lane
Fleet Street closures throughout the week

For the week of May 25, 2026

The City is working toward the goal of completion of this phase of the project by June 13.

For the week of May 25, 2026:

No work on Monday 5/25/26 (Memorial Day)
Catch basin installations on Congress Street, towards Maplewood Avenue
Fire hydrant removal on Vaughan Mall
Gas relocation within intersection of Fleet Street & Congress Street
Conduit installation within intersection of Fleet Street & Congress Street
Traffic signal foundation within intersection of Fleet Street & Congress Street
Congress Street reduced to one lane
Fleet Street closures throughout the week

For the week of May 18, 2026

Connect water main on Congress to northern portion of Fleet Street
Congress Street reduced to one lane
Fleet Street closures throughout the week

Message boards and traffic signs will be deployed in advance to notify motorists. Pedestrians will still be able to access and use sidewalks in the closure area. Businesses remain open and deliveries will be accommodated. Normal traffic circulation will be restored at the end of each workday.

For the week of May 11, 2026

Drain work inside intersection of Fleet and Congress Streets
Water service work possible
Congress Street reduced to one lane
Fleet Street closures throughout the week..

For the week of May 4, 2026

Water main installations on Congress Street heading towards Fleet Street. Congress Street will be reduced to one lane on Monday and Tuesday.
Congress Street will be closed between Fleet Street and Maplewood Avenue Wednesday May 6 through Friday May 8 during regular working hours. Fleet Street will be used as a detour route.

The project work proceeds towards Maplewood Avenue with the sewer and drainage installations before moving on to begin work between Vaughan Mall and Fleet Street. This portion of work will also include the restoration of Congress Street in the fall of 2026 beginning after Labor Day. Work is scheduled to take place daily, Monday through Friday but there may be brief interruptions if conditions become too severe for crews to work effectively.

For the week of April 27, 2026

Sewer and drainage installations continue to reduce Congress Street to one lane in the work area.
Water main installation scheduled to start from the Maplewood Avenue end of Congress, and work towards Fleet Street.
Fleet Street closures will vary throughout the week when crews are working in the intersection of Fleet Street and Congress Street. Fleet Street will be closed either from Porter to Congress or from Hanover to Congress depending on the sequence of work. Message boards and traffic signs will be deployed in advance to notify motorists. Pedestrians will still be able to access and use sidewalks in the closure area. Businesses remain open and deliveries will be accommodated. Normal traffic circulation will be restored at the end of each workday.

For the week of April 20, 2026

Sewer and drainage installations continue to reduce Congress Street to one lane in the work area on Monday and Tuesday.
Water main installation starts towards the end of the week.
Fleet Street closures will vary throughout the week when crews are working in the intersection of Fleet Street and Congress Street. Fleet Street will be closed either from Porter to Congress or from Hanover to Congress depending on the sequence of work. Message boards and traffic signs will be deployed in advance to notify motorists. Pedestrians will still be able to access and use sidewalks in the closure area. Businesses remain open and deliveries will be accommodated. Normal traffic circulation will be restored at the end of each workday.

For the week of April 13, 2026

Sewer and drainage installations continue to reduce Congress Street to one lane in the work area.
Fleet Street closures will vary throughout the week when crews are working in the intersection of Fleet Street and Congress Street. Fleet Street will be closed either from Porter to Congress or from Hanover to Congress depending on the sequence of work. Message boards and traffic signs will be deployed in advance to notify motorists. Pedestrians will still be able to access and use sidewalks in the closure area. Businesses remain open and deliveries will be accommodated. Normal traffic circulation will be restored at the end of each workday.

For the week of April 6, 2026

Sewer and drainage installations in the easterly sidewalk. Congress Street is reduced to one lane in the work area.
Fleet Street -- no closures on Monday or Tuesday, but Wednesday-Friday closures will vary as the crew works in the intersection of Fleet Street and Congress Street. Fleet Street will be closed either from Porter to Congress or from Hanover to Congress depending on the sequence of work. Message boards and traffic signs will be deployed in advance to notify motorists. Pedestrians will still be able to access and use sidewalks in the closure area. Businesses remain open and deliveries will be accommodated. Normal traffic circulation will be restored at the end of each workday

For the week of March 30, 2026

Sewer and drainage installations in the easterly sidewalk. Congress Street is reduced to one lane in the work area.
Fleet Street will be closed between Porter Street & Congress Street all week.

For the week of March 16, 2026

For the first half of the week (Mon-Tues), traffic on Congress Street will be reduced to one lane of traffic between Fleet Street and Maplewood Avenue for sewer and drain installation.
Congress Street in that work area will be CLOSED BETWEEN FLEET ST AND MAPLEWOOD AVE WED MAR 18-FRI MAR 20 during regular working hours, 7 am to 4 pm.

For Week of January 12, 2026

Utility replacement on Congress Street began the week of January 5, 2026 and is expected to extend to early June.

The fire hydrant at Vaughan Mall & Congress Street Intersection may be replaced.
Sewer and Drainage main installation continues on Congress Street towards Maplewood Avenue.

Work includes the full replacement of sewer collection, water distribution, and stormwater infrastructure from Maplewood Avenue to a point approximately 100’ beyond (East) of the Fleet Street intersection.

The City is proceeding with this work starting this winter in an effort to limit impacts to businesses. Work is scheduled to take place daily, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm; but there may be brief interruptions if conditions become too severe for crews to work effectively.

For Week of January 5, 2025

Utility replacement on Congress Street is scheduled to begin sometime on or after January 5, 2026 and is expected to extend to early June. Work includes the full replacement of sewer collection, water distribution, and stormwater infrastructure from Maplewood Avenue to a point approximately 100’ beyond (East) of the Fleet Street intersection. The first portion of work on Congress Street is expected to start at Vaughan Mall and proceed towards Maplewood Avenue with the sewer and drainage installations before moving on to begin work between Vaughan Mall and Fleet Street.

The City is proceeding with this work starting this winter in an effort to limit impacts to businesses. Work is scheduled to take place daily, Monday through Friday, 7 am to 4 pm; but there may be brief interruptions if conditions become too severe for crews to work effectively.

For the week of March 23, 2026

Sewer and drainage installations in the easterly sidewalk. Congress Street will be reduced to one lane in the work area.
Fleet Street will be closed between Porter Street & Congress Street all week.

Project Documents

Public information meeting presentation outlining the Congress Street project scope, construction schedule, and expected impacts to traffic, pedestrians, and businesses.

Meeting Material

Public Project Start-up Information - 12/09/2025 Dec 9, 2025

Project Video

Project FAQ

What is the Congress Street Infrastructure Project?

The Congress Street Infrastructure Project replaces aging underground utilities and reconstructs the roadway and sidewalks along Congress Street.

What work is included in the project?

The project includes replacement of water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure followed by roadway and sidewalk reconstruction.

Why is the project necessary?

The work replaces aging infrastructure and improves the reliability of the City’s utility systems while upgrading the street and pedestrian facilities.

How will construction affect the area?

During construction, temporary traffic changes, construction activity, and temporary access adjustments may occur while underground work and roadway reconstruction are underway.

What will the project provide when completed?

Once complete, the project will provide updated utilities, reconstructed pavement, improved sidewalks, and upgraded drainage infrastructure.