DPW Press Releases

The City will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday, January 23rd at 6:30 p.m. at the Department of Public Works Building at 680 Peverly Hill Road. The Outer Islington Street sidewalk project between Plains Avenue and Essex Avenue that started construction on last fall is scheduled to be completed this Spring. The City is now considering extending the limits of this project to include the area from Essex Avenue to Rutland Street (indicated below).

Public Works crews are continuing their snow clean-up efforts this week with another overnight snow load out in the downtown area. Beginning at 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 9th, Public Works crews will be conducting a downtown snow load out in order to clear streets and improve safety. These operations will continue throughout the night into early Wednesday morning. Therefore, all vehicles must be removed off the posted downtown City streets prior to the times displayed per area on the map below.

Beginning at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7th, Public Works crews will be conducting a downtown snow load out in order to clear streets and improve safety. These operations will continue throughout the night into early Monday morning. Therefore, all vehicles must be removed off downtown City streets prior to the times displayed per area on the map below. This map indicates the planned routes crews will be addressing in phases throughout the evening. Residents are encouraged to place their cars in the High-Hanover Garage where a $3 parking fee will apply until 8:00 a.m.

The Department of Public Works’ Snow Related Impacts webpage contains all relevant information snow emergency and parking ban announcements.

Extreme cold temperatures are continuing well into 2018, and the Portsmouth Water Department wants to remind residents of the importance of protecting their pipes. Please review this page to understand your responsibilities and helpful tips to prevent your pipes from freezing.

Beginning on Monday, December 4th, portions of Bridge Street will be closed until January 4, 2018 in order to complete sewer and utility work associated with the construction of the Foundry Place parking garage. This area spans Hill Street and Deer Street, with closures on the intersection of Deer and Bridge Streets, and the end of Hill Street heading into Bridge Street. Access to all local businesses in this area will be maintained during this time.

Street Closures and No Parking in the Greater Downtown Area for the Portsmouth Holiday Parade Saturday, December 2nd, 2017

Effective from 4:00pm to 8:00pm on Saturday, December 2nd, 2017 the Chief of Police will be invoking his emergency powers, prohibiting parking and vehicular travel on certain streets in the City due to the Annual Portsmouth Holiday Parade.

Beginning on Thursday, November 30th, a detour will be in place redirecting outbound traffic on Bartlett Street. Unitil will be working on Bartlett Street gas lines at the railroad bridge near Islington Street. Due to the constrained roadway configuration and proximity to Islington Street, Bartlett Street will be closed to traffic from Islington Street during working hours for about a week. During evenings and weekends, the roadway will be fully open. Traffic on Bartlett Street heading to Islington Street will not be detoured during this work.

Portsmouth Public Works will hold a public meeting on Thursday, November 30th at 6:30 p.m. in the New Franklin School cafeteria to present findings from traffic data collection on Echo Avenue, Farm Lane, Woodbury Avenue and Rockingham Avenue. City staff will also be seeking feedback from residents on possible options to address cut-through traffic and pedestrian safety on Echo Avenue.

Please contact Eric Eby, Parking and Transportation Engineer, at (603) 766-1415 or ebeby@cityofportsmouth.com with any questions. 

City Hall will be closed Wednesday, November 22 at 1 p.m. and the Library will also closing at 5 p.m. on the same day (Wednesday).

The City Hall, Department of Public Works, Library and Senior Activity Center will be all closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in recognition of Thanksgiving.

The Spinnaker Point Recreation Center and Indoor Pool will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd.

Trash and recycling collection scheduled on Thursday will be collected on Wednesday (November 22) instead.