KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Construction in and around Central Square is moving into a new phase this week, with crews shifting water-main work toward the east side of the Square while beginning sewer installation on West Street.

Casella Construction, the city’s contractor for the downtown infrastructure project, spent the past week continuing installation of the new water main along the west side of Central Square and beginning work along the north side.

The granite bollards and chains that had surrounded Central Square Common have also been removed. The historic fixtures will be cleaned and reinstalled as construction advances.

Beginning Monday, Sept. 14, crews will continue installing water main near the Washington Street intersection on the north side of the Square before moving toward the east side later in the week. Sewer-main installation is also scheduled to begin on West Street near Central Square and proceed west.

The work will bring temporary parking restrictions and traffic changes.

From Monday through Wednesday, the north side of Central Square will be closed to vehicle traffic. Northbound motorists will be directed from Washington Street to Union Street and then Court Street, while southbound traffic on Washington Street will also be detoured through Union and Court streets.

Parking on the north side of Central Square will be unavailable from 7 a.m. through the end of the workday Monday through Wednesday. City officials remind drivers that any space marked with an orange cone or barrier is closed to parking.

Beginning Wednesday and continuing through Friday, the inside northbound lanes through Central Square will close, leaving one northbound lane open. At the same time, eastbound traffic on West Street will be reduced to one lane between St. James Street and Central Square.

Officials said construction crews may work beyond 5 p.m. when daylight, weather and productivity allow, with the goal of restoring traffic and parking each day when possible.

Other public parking lots within walking distance of Central Square will remain available.

The traffic plan is subject to change as crews encounter conditions in the construction area. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to use caution and watch for changing traffic patterns.

Questions about the project can be directed to Downtown Project Ombudsman George Downing at (603) 757-2105 or gdowning@keenenh.gov.