Construction Impacts

Projects of Note

I-95 On Ramp Closed

The I-95 southbound on ramp at Exit 7 from Market Street will be closed through Wednesday, July 2 to complete construction related to the NHDOT soundwall project.

Hanover Garage

Work continues on the application of the surface coat on Level 1. 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.

Sylvester Street Sewer Line Installation

City crews will be working for two weeks starting June 16, 2025 to construct approximately 160 feet of new gravity sewer line, extending from the existing manhole at the bottom of Sylvester Street into the wooded area. Project equipment and material laydown area will be located on Chase Home property, ensuring that only essential equipment and materials needed for the Sylvester Street portion of the construction will be in the road. Affected homeowners are being notified of the construction. Access will remain open.

Seasonal Construction Project Updates

Islington Street

Week of June 16: Phase 2b Construction Area Section 1- Cornwall Street to Langdon Street: No work anticipated. Section 2 – Langdon Street to Maplewood Ave: Paving curb patches and sidewalks, brick accent strip work, concrete sidewalk installation at Maplewood Ave intersection. Section 3 -- Legion to State Street: Possible drainage main installation. Starting June 23, 2025: Mill the pavement in this intersection, shim and pave the roadway asphalt, finish the sidewalks, install the traffic signal pole and pedestrian signals and stripe the intersection. By the end of the summer season, all portions of the Islington Street project should be complete. For the project overview: March 19, 2024 public meeting presentation and video recording, additional background information and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project, visit the project page. 

Greenleaf Avenue Sidewalks

Week of June 16: Prep driveway aprons and other miscellaneous areas for pavement. For the public information meeting recording and presentation from April 16, and to sign up to receive email updates on the project, go to the project page.

Sagamore Avenue Sidewalks

This project consists of constructing a new sidewalk along the NHDOT roadway of Sagamore Avenue from approximately 1171 Sagamore Avenue to Odiorne Point Road. Week of June 16 – Possible placement of concrete sidewalks (tentative). For details go to the meeting recording and minutes. For more information, visit the project page.

Summit Avenue Sidewalk

This project consists of constructing a new sidewalk along Summit Avenue from the High School gated entrance to South Street. This work will be scheduled during summer break at the High School (June 23 through August 15).

Bartlett Street

The final placement of paving and site restoration on Bartlett Street is scheduled to begin on July 7, 2025 tentatively as follows: July 7-18 -- Punchlist items, sign installation, construction of manhole inverts. Week of July 21 – Milling multiple tie-in locations at limits of the project, raising structures to final pavement height. Week of July 28 – Placing final asphalt and constructing raised crosswalk and raised intersection. Week of August 4 – Final pavement markings. The Morning Street scope of work is currently on HOLD and will be reevaluated along with future phases of work in the Creek Neighborhood. 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

Maplewood Avenue Bridge is AGAIN CLOSED TO VEHICLES to finish utility upgrades and to replace the roadbed and north side sidewalks and railings. Work within the construction limits during continues on the northern rail support slab. Once the north side of the bridge is finished at the end of June, the current plan is to open one lane of the bridge for traffic heading toward downtown. The balance of the bridge work will continue on the south side through November as the contractor replaces the sidewalks and railings. Pedestrians and cyclists (walking their bikes) will have access across the bridge on whatever side is not currently under construction. For detour options, 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

Monday, June 16 through Wednesday, June 18:  No parking on weekdays, 6 am to 5 pm, to pave Union Street (State to Middle), Coffins Court and remaining driveway aprons. 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

Drainage work and curbing is complete. Contractor will continue to pour sidewalks on Ash Street. Residents and pets should AVOID WALKING ON THE NEW CONCRETE as it sets up. A public information meeting on the 2025 project work was held on April 2. Go to the meeting presentation and video recording from that meeting. For the original project preconstruction meeting presentation and video recording, more information and to sign up for future email updates, visit the project page.

Middle/Miller/Summer Street Intersection Signals 

Construction is expected to start in September 2025. Electric Light is the contractor. For more information, visit the project page.

Little Bay Road Water Main Replacement

This joint project with the Town of Newington involves the installation of an eight-inch ductile iron water main and the replacement of 25 water services and four hydrants. Upon completion, the road will be patched and prepared for final pavement by the Town of Newington. The project is scheduled to be completed by mid-summer. A public information meeting was held on April 8, 2025 at the Newington Town Hall (336 Nimble Hill Rd, Newington, NH 03801). For more information, visit the project page.

NHDOT Projects in Portsmouth

I-95 Sound Barrier Construction

Work to install the sound wall continues. Exit 7 ramp, southbound onto I-95 from Market Street will be closed from Tuesday, May 27 through Friday, June 20 for construction related to the project. Governor Sununu and the Executive Council at their September 25, 2024 meeting authorized the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) to enter into a contract with Northeast Earth Mechanics, LLC of Pittsfield, NH for the construction of sound abatement walls and privacy fencing along I-95 in Portsmouth. The contract amount is $18,771,486.75. For full details and background visit the project page.

NHDOT Lafayette Road (Route 1)

NH Department of Transportation (NH DOT) presented updated plans for its Lafayette Road (Route 1) Corridor Improvement Project to the City Council on May 5. For background visit the Project Website (Portsmouth 29640) with the full US Route 1 Corridor Plan. NH DOT also advises that anyone with comments or concerns about this project should contact David Smith, P.E. - Project Manager, NH Department of Transportation | P.O. Box 483, Concord NH 03302