Portsmouth Avenue Sewer Replacement Project

NOTE: This project has been completed.

Update (9/17/14):
 Paving on Portsmouth Avenue will begin on Monday, September 22nd 2014. It is expected to take 2 weeks, during which time the one-way detour will be in place. This is the same detour that was used during construction. Please refer to the detour map below. Paving and painting are the final major tasks for this project. 

Update (8/29/14): On September 8 and 9, 2014, the contractor will be performing sewer main testing on the new sewer in Portsmouth Avenue. This is a routine test that is required after construction.  They will access the sewer main via the manholes. No digging will be done for the testing. The detour will NOT be used for this work.  No changes to the normal traffic pattern are expected other than some minor delays.  There will be people (flaggers) out there directing traffic. Please contact Jen Mates if you have any questions. 

Update (5/29/14): The water and sewer work on Portsmouth Ave is complete!  The contractor will not be working on Portsmouth Ave until this fall, other than minor clean up. The detour will be in effect when final paving occurs this fall. All of the trenches will be milled and paved at that time, which is expected to take about 2 weeks (detour to be used full time). The contractor is expecting to begin this work around September 15 (to be confirmed in the fall). Your cooperation has been greatly appreciated!

Update (5/15/14): All of the water service replacement work on Portsmouth Avenue has been completed, so there are no more water service interruptions planned for the rest of the project.  The remaining work includes sewer services, paving and clean-up, which is currently scheduled to be completed in the next 2 to 3 weeks. The one-way detour will be in effect for most of that time. Once this work is completed, the contractor will not be back until the fall for final paving. All equipment, stockpiles, signs, etc. will be removed from the area.  We appreciate your patience and support throughout the project!

Update (4/30/14): In addition to the current construction activities, night work will begin on Portsmouth Avenue on May 5 and continue until Wednesday, May 13 (Mon-Thurs only). The road will be open to traffic at night, with minor delays possible. As always, please use caution when driving in a work zone. 

Update (4/15/14): We have been fortunate for the first week of construction to be able to maintain 2-way traffic. Unfortunately, the 1-way detour will begin tomorrow (4/16/14) between High St and Green Hill Rd.  Please arrange your routes accordingly!

Update (3/21/14): Construction of the water and sewer utilities in Portsmouth Avenue is scheduled to restart on April 7 and continue to approximately July 1, 2014.

There will be 2 construction crews working simultaneously this year. The first will be in the area of High St to Green Hill Rd, installing sewer services during the day. This area will have a one-way detour, similar to last fall (see PDF below, for your use). The second crew will be installing sewer main and services beginning at the north end of Exeter Commons (near Margarita's) and continuing south to Green Hill Rd. This section of the road is wide enough to maintain 2-way traffic during construction.

Update (12/6/13): The construction has stopped for the winter. Thank you all for your cooperation and patience throughout this project!  It is greatly appreciated!  The contractor will be back after March 15, 2014 at the earliest, but this is weather dependent. More details about the schedule will be made available in the spring. 

Project Overview

On Monday, November 4, 2013 the Public Works Department will commence construction on the replacement of one of the Town's most significant sewer lines running from the intersection of High Street and Portsmouth Avenue out to the Provident Bank on Portsmouth Avenue.  

To accommodate this project, traffic will be detoured beginning on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 and continuing through December 15, 2013. Traffic will be one-way inbound from Green Hill Road to the intersection of High Street and Portsmouth Avenue.  Outbound traffic will be detoured away from Portsmouth Avenue out to Holland Way.  Two-way traffic will remain from Green Hill Road out to the remainder of Portsmouth Avenue.  The detour will last from approximately 7:00 a.m.. until 5:00 p.m. each day while construction is happening.  A map of the detour is below.  Please review the map and plan your routes accordingly.

Questions or concerns regarding the project can be directed to the Jen Mates, Assistant Engineer at the Public Works Department at 773-6157.