KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Drivers in Keene should expect delays and detours Tuesday and Wednesday as the city undertakes a round of road maintenance aimed at extending the life of local streets.

The Keene Public Works Department plans to apply a protective asphalt coating known as “micro-surfacing” to multiple roadways on Aug. 5 and 6. The process seals cracks and smooths the pavement but requires a full closure of each road segment while the material cures—a period that can last up to two hours.

Work is scheduled to take place on the following streets:

  • Park Avenue, from Summit Road to Maple Avenue: 8 to 10 a.m.

  • West Street, from Base Hill Road to Park Avenue: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

  • Edgewood neighborhood — including Edgewood, Greenwood, Kenworth, Leawood, Lynwood, Riverton and Walker streets: noon to 4:30 p.m.

Public works officials are asking drivers to avoid these areas during the scheduled work hours. Once the slurry is laid, the surface is especially vulnerable to damage from passing vehicles, and any traffic could ruin the finish or carry sticky material onto tires and bodywork.

Traffic control personnel will be on site and detours will be clearly marked. Alternate routes include:

  • Park Avenue traffic should use Summit Road and Maple Avenue.

  • Commuters from Bradford Road are advised to take Arch Street or Park Avenue to avoid the affected section of West Street.

  • Access to the Keene Country Club may be limited to Base Hill Road during the West Street work window.

This round of surface treatment is part of the city’s ongoing Pavement Preservation Project, which targets roads in fair condition to prevent more costly repairs in the future.

For questions or updates, residents can contact the Department of Public Works at 352-6550.

For up-to-date information added regularly, visit the Keene Public Works updates page on My Keene Now.