Improving Exeter : Capital Project Updates

EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY RENOVATION/ADDITION - COMPLETED 2021

In March of 2019 voters approved a warrant article to bond 4.5 million dollars for a renovation and addition to the public library on Chestnut Street.  This renovation will be overseen by SMP Architects working in conjunction with Bauen construction.  The renovation includes upgrades in energy efficiency, space, and technology.  Work was completed in 2021, and residents can now enjoy an expanded and renovated library.

NEW WASTEWATER FACILITY, FORCE MAINS AND MAIN PUMP STATION UPGRADES - COMPLETED NOVEMBER 2019
The Town recently completed the construction of a new Wastewater Treatment Facility at the DPW Complex at 13 Newfields Road.  This new facility, forcemains, and main pump station is constructed to meet the terms of an Administrative Order of Consent (AOC) between the Town and the EPA, which includes treatment of nitrogen removal to an interim limit of not less than 8 mg/l on average.  The new facility began processing wastewater in June 2019.  This facility features a Bardenpho treatment process and will greatly reduce the amount of nitrogen discharged to the Squamscott River.  Wright-Pierce Engineers along with the Town Water/Sewer Department oversaw the design and construction of the project.  The new facility has achieved vast improvements on the quality of the town's wastewater discharge to the Squamscott River.

LINCOLN STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT - COMPLETED SUMMER 2019

Phase 2 of improvements to Lincoln Street were completed in the summer of 2019.  This project modified the streetscape of Lincoln Street adding elements for pedestrian safety, intersection improvements, traffic calming features, and sidewalks.  The total project involves stormwater, sewer and water improvements in addition to the street level improvements.  

COURT STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - COMPLETED SPRING 2018

The Court Street bridge at Bell Avenue included three 1965-era corrugated metal culverts under the road.  The Little River flows through these culverts, which are badly in need of replacement.  The town designed this project to replace the culverts with a precast bridge structure to enhance flows and eliminate the old culverts altogether.  This project was nearing completion in November 2017 and will result in improved infrastructure in this area for the next 35-40 years.

STRING BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION - COMPLETED OCTOBER 2017

This project made significant rehabilitative updates and structural improvements to the String Bridge, located between Water Street and Chestnut/Pleasant Street in the downtown area adjacent to the Exeter Public Library.  This project is funded 80% by the New Hampshire Bridge Aid program and is being designed by Hoyle Tanner Associates.  The current String Bridge was constructed in 1935.  

DOWNTOWN SIDEWALKS - PROJECT COMPLETED SUMMER 2016

Exeter has new downtown sidewalks on Water Street, Front Street, and the entry way to Great Bridge via High Street.  This project was completed in spring and summer of 2016 with approved funds from town meeting.  Come to the downtown and enjoy our new look!

LINCOLN STREET UTILITY PROJECT - COMPLETED SPRING 2016

Phase 1 of the Lincoln and Winter Street project, completed in early spring 2016, included installation of a brand new 12" water main to help serve the area from the new Groundwater Facility on Lary Lane.  The brand new main replaced an old water main installed in the late 1880's.  Phase 2 of the project is in the Town's CIP and includes sewer, stormwater, water, and road and sidewalk improvements.

GREAT DAM REMOVAL - COMPLETED 2016
The removal of the Great Dam occurred beginning July of 2016 and was completed in October 2016.  In addition, the Exeter River bottom was re-contoured and restored, and the water intake at Gilman Park was lowered.  Work was performed under the direction of SumCo, the Town of Exeter, the State of New Hampshire DES, and was partially funded via a federal grant from NOAA, a state grant from the "Moose Plate" program, NHDES Aquatic Resource Mitigation (ARM) funds, and New Hampshire Fish & Game.

LARY LANE GROUNDWATER PLANT - COMPLETED 2015
The Town's new groundwater plant at Lary Lane began construction in 2014 and was completed in late 2015.  After reaching agreement on a new lease for the Stadium Well in 2015, the final phases of the project were completed in December 2015.  The new groundwater plant is providing up to 1.1 million gallons a day of water to the Town from the Gilman, Stadium, and Lary Lane groundwater wells.  The new groundwater plant, in conjunction with the new transmission lines being installed along Front and Lincoln Streets will provide a water quality upgrade for residents.  The groundwater supply will also require less treatment and feature lower electric costs compared to the surface water plant on Portsmouth Avenue.

KINGSTON ROAD SHOULDER WIDENING/BIKE PATH PROJECT - 2016-17
Voters approved this project on the March 2015 town warrant.  The project will involve shoulder widening and bike path construction along Kingston Road.  Funding for the project will be provided through the NHDOT Transportation Enhancement Program with a local match from the Town's bike path/shoulder widening capital reserve fund.  Various meetings with project stakeholders were held in fall of 2016 and project construction is anticipated to occur sometime in 2017.

LINDEN STREET BRIDGE PROJECT - COMPLETED 2015
The Linden Street Bridge project was completed on November 13th, 2015. The project involved removing the existing culverts and replacing them with a concrete bridge. This improvement will assist with Little River flows, which joins the Exeter River at Gilman Park.

PORTSMOUTH AVENUE SEWER LINE REPLACEMENT AND PAVING - COMPLETED 2015
This project replaced a failing sewer line on Portsmouth Avenue and was completed in August of 2015.  The sewer line was replaced in 2014 after a town vote.  Further improvements to Portsmouth Avenue are being planned in the town capital improvement program.