KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) 

Work on Keene’s downtown infrastructure project continued this week as crews from Liberty Utilities replaced aging natural gas lines in Central Square while contractors prepared for the start of major construction.

According to an update from City Engineer Bryan Ruoff, Liberty Utilities has been focused on replacing older gas lines on the west and south sides of Central Square. The work is expected to continue next week and will require temporary traffic changes within the active construction zone.

Drivers should expect periodic closures of the West Street slip lane, with detours established for West Street and Roxbury Street as needed. City officials said additional information will be released once the timing of those traffic changes is finalized.

Meanwhile, contractor Casella Construction has been completing preparations ahead of the project’s first construction phase. Those efforts include approving subcontractors, preparing required project documents, refining construction phasing and establishing a staging area at the corner of Gilbo and School streets. The project team is also finalizing a traffic control plan for the initial phase of work.

Although much of the current activity is taking place behind the scenes, city officials said the planning and coordination are intended to help construction proceed efficiently while minimizing disruptions to businesses, residents and motorists.

Residents can expect to see Casella Construction begin preparing the Central Square work area next week.

The city has also marked trees within the first phase of the project. Three trees on the west side of Central Square, identified with blue ribbons, will be transplanted elsewhere in the city. Fifteen additional trees marked with pink ribbons are scheduled for removal as part of the first phase of construction.

Questions about the downtown project can be directed to Downtown Project Ombudsman George Downing at 603-757-2105 or gdowning@keenenh.gov, or to City Engineer Bryan Ruoff at 603-352-6550, ext. 6621, or bruoff@keenenh.gov.