Project Overview
The Islington Street Corridor Reconstruction Project is complete.
The project replaced aging underground utilities, including water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage infrastructure, along the Islington Street corridor. The work also reconstructed the roadway and streetscape, including new curbing, sidewalks, and landscaping features such as ornamental lighting, street trees, and benches.
The project was designed to create a complete street that better accommodates pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, and motorists. Improvements included upgraded pedestrian facilities, traffic signals, utilities, and roadway infrastructure along the corridor.
The reconstruction supports the continued revitalization of Portsmouth’s West End neighborhood and reflects recommendations from several City planning efforts, including the 2009 Islington Street Improvement Action Plan and the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
Project Scope During Construction (Historical Reference)
Work on the Corridor Project included replacement of underground utilities (water, sewer, and storm drain), roadway reconstruction, curbing and sidewalk installations, and landscaping improvements such as ornamental lighting, street trees, and benches. Construction proceeded in discrete sections to limit the impact on residents and businesses and represented a significant step in the revitalization of the West End neighborhood. The goal of the project was to create a "complete street," including improvements to the streetscape, traffic signals, utilities, pedestrian facilities, transit access, and the vehicular roadway.
The design incorporated recommendations from several planning studies, including the 2009 Islington Street Improvement Action Plan, the 2014 Bicycle/Pedestrian Plan, and the character-based zoning public charrette. Utility design included drinking water, sanitary sewer, and storm drainage improvements, as well as coordination and relocation of natural gas, communications, and electrical infrastructure. The design effort also included improvements to parking and vehicular and pedestrian circulation to determine appropriate lane widths, sidewalk widths, intersection designs, and roadway pavement types and thicknesses.
Project Status:
The City awarded a contract to Severino Construction of Candia, NH. Due to cost increases across multiple sectors, the project was divided into two parts: Phase 2A in FY24 and Phase 2B in FY25.
Related links to the Project
The following table lists public meetings and project milestones associated with the project.
| Mar 2024 | Phase 2A-2B preconstruction public information meeting |
|---|---|
| Mar 2023 | Phase 2A preconstruction public information meeting |
| 2022 | |
| March 2021 | Phases 1A & 1B Construction Public Information Meeting |
| May 2019 | Start of Phase 1A construction - spanning Bartlett Street to the Route 1 Bypass |
| April 2019 | Preconstruction public information meeting |
| February 2019 | Public Meeting to review next phase of project |
| 2018 | Finalized for bid |
| 2017 | Finalized preliminary design |
| March 2017 | Roadway borings |
| October 2016 | Presentation Slide Show |
| November 2015 | Initial Public Information Meeting |
| Presentation Slide Show |
Project Map
Project Updates
Latest Update 10/31/2025 Oct 31, 2025
Project is now completed.
For the week of March 19, 2024 Mar 19, 2024
Phase 2A-2B preconstruction public information meeting
For the week of March 8, 2023 Mar 8, 2023
Phase 2A preconstruction public information meeting
For the week of March 24, 2021 Mar 24, 2021
Phases 1A & 1B Construction Public Information Meeting.
For the week of May 6, 2019 May 6, 2019
Start of Phase 1A construction - spanning Bartlett Street to the Route 1 Bypass.
For the week of April 1, 2019 Apr 1, 2019
Preconstruction public information meeting.
For the week of February 20, 2019 Feb 20, 2019
Public Meeting on Islington Street Corridor Improvements.
For the week of January 1, 2019 Jan 1, 2019
Finalized for bid.
For the week of March 6,2017 Mar 6, 2017
Roadway boring begins to determine roadway material and thickness.
For the week of January 1, 2017 Jan 1, 2017
Finalized preliminary design.
For the week of October 19, 2016 Oct 19, 2016
Public Informational Meeting
For the week of November 9, 2015 Nov 9, 2015
Public Project Initiation Meeting
Project Documents
This section includes project-related materials for the Islington Street Corridor Project, including planning and design documents, project action plans, and public outreach materials such as flyers and response summaries. Together, these materials document the development, planning, and design of the project from 2009 through 2023.
Plans, Drawings, Maps & Surveys
- Islington St. Project Phase 2A Plan Mar 8, 2023
- Islington Street Corridor Improvement Action Plan Dec 1, 2009
- Islington Street Corridor Improvement Action Phase 2 Aug 15, 2022
- Islington Street Corridor Final Design Nov 13, 2018
Documents, Reports & Studies
- Islington Street Corridor Project 2019 Flyer May 20, 2019
- PS 21 Responses Mar 21, 2017
Contracts, Bids & Proposals
- Preliminary Plan Jun 20, 2017
Meeting Material (Agendas, Minutes and Presentations)
- Phase 2A-2B preconstruction presentation Mar 19, 2024
- Phases 1A & 1B Construction Presentation Mar 24, 2021
- Public Meeting to review next phase of project Feb 20, 2019
- Public Meeting to review next phase of project Oct 19, 2016
- Public Informational Meeting Presentation Oct 19, 2016
- Initial Public Information Meeting Nov 9, 2015
- Initial Public Information Meeting Presentation Nov 9, 2015
Public Meetings
3.19.2024 Islington St. Project Public Pre-Construction Meeting
March 21, 20243.19.2024 Islington St. Project Public Pre-Construction Meeting
3.8.2023 Islington St. Project Phase 2A Public Pre-Construction Meeting
March 21, 20243.8.2023 Islington St. Project Phase 2A Public Pre-Construction Meeting
2.20.19 ISLINGTON STREET CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS
March 21, 2024
Islington Street Corridor Project 10.19.16
March 21, 2024Islington Street Corridor Project 10.19.16
Project FAQ
What was the Islington Corridor Reconstruction Project?
The Islington Corridor Reconstruction Project rebuilt infrastructure and streetscape elements along Islington Street to improve utilities, roadway conditions, and pedestrian facilities.
What improvements were completed?
The project included replacement of underground utilities, roadway reconstruction, sidewalk improvements, and streetscape enhancements.
How was the project constructed?
Construction occurred in phases along sections of the corridor to maintain access to businesses and residences during the work.
How was the project constructed to reduce impacts on residents and businesses?
Because Islington Street is an important neighborhood and commercial corridor, the work was completed in discrete sections rather than all at once. This phased approach allowed the City and contractor to maintain access to homes, businesses, and side streets while construction progressed along the corridor.
What infrastructure was upgraded?
The project replaced aging water, sewer, and storm drainage systems while reconstructing the roadway and sidewalks.
How does the completed corridor benefit the community?
The improvements provide updated infrastructure, improved pedestrian facilities, and a reconstructed roadway along one of the City’s major neighborhood corridors.