Construction Impacts

Projects of Note

South End Pavement 

Resurfacing Planned for July 28-31, 2025 to include: Hancock, Gates and Washington Streets. South School St., Humphrey's Court, Ridges Court, Fernald Court, Ball St., Baycliff Rd., Driftwood Ln., Pleasant Point Dr., Boyan Pl., Moebus Terr , Robin Ln.. Work hours from 7 am to 4 pm. The City began a Pavement Condition Management Program in 1993 and implements a rotating schedule of maintenance based on road conditions and budget requirements to maintain street conditions at the current level.

Hanover Garage

Work continues on the application of pavement markings on Level 2. 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 Project Updates

Islington Street

Week of July 28:  Phase 2a Construction Area – Dover to Cornwall: Raise structures. Phase 2b Construction Area -- Cornwall to Maplewood:  Section 1- Cornwall Street to Bridge Street: Raise structures. Section 2 – Legion to State Street: Install drainage main. Section 3 -- Maplewood Avenue Intersection:  No work anticipated. 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. 

Sagamore Avenue Widening & 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. Road paving anticipated. 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. Concrete work began July 7 and is anticipated to continue through August 15.

Bartlett Street

The final placement of paving and site restoration on Bartlett Street is scheduled, tentatively to proceed as follows: 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, visit the project page.

Maplewood Avenue Bridge

Week of July 28: Work continues within the bridge closure limits on the south side. Construction activity is anticipated to include removal of the formwork behind the northern rail support slab and south side retaining wall reconstruction. Bridge has re-opened to one-lane, inbound to downtown traffic. The balance of the bridge work will continue on the south side through November as the contractor replaces the sidewalks and railings. The outbound lane will remain closed throughout the summer. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times via the northern sidewalk. For detour options, the meeting presentation, design plans, additional background and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project, visit the project page.

Union Street

Paving is complete. Pouring the concrete sidewalk at the southern intersection of State Street and Union Street is planned. Weeds will be managed and loamed areas will be re-seeded in the fall. Following up on punchlist items. For more information in the April 2, 2024 meeting presentation and video recording and to sign up to receive weekly updates on the project, visit the project page.

Willard Avenue Project

No on-street parking allowed on Willard Avenue, Ash Street and Orchard Street, 7 am to 6 pm, on Thursday, July 31 to allow for thorough street sweeping and Friday, Aug 1 for paving. For the original project preconstruction meeting presentation and video recording, more information and to sign up for future email updates, visit the project page.

Vaughan Mall Reconstruction

A public information meeting was held July 7, 2025 to discuss options for the landscape redesign of Vaughan Mall once the underground infrastructure is replaced. A pre-construction meeting on that work, scheduled to start after Labor Day, is scheduled for August 20 at 6 pm in City Hall Conference Room A. For the meeting presentations, 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

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