KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Motorists, pedestrians and cyclists should expect traffic delays, temporary lane shifts and parking restrictions in several areas of Keene this week as city contractors continue infrastructure improvements and other construction projects.

The City of Keene Public Works Department has outlined construction activities scheduled for Nov. 2-6, including work on Central Square, Court Street, Marlboro Street, River Street and Kelleher Street. Construction will also continue at the George Street Bridge and Robin Hood Park pool.

Central Square and Downtown Construction

Casella Construction will continue underground utility improvements in downtown Keene, with crews concentrating on sewer and drainage work at the Roxbury Street intersection.

During the previous week, crews installed sewer manholes and new sewer piping at the intersection. Workers also filled the newly installed water main around Central Square and successfully completed hydrostatic pressure testing to check the integrity of the line.

This week, the water mains will undergo disinfection using a high-concentration chlorine treatment. The lines will then be flushed, and water samples will be collected and tested to confirm that the system is free of bacteria.

Crews will also continue exploratory excavations at several locations along Main Street, primarily near the southern end of the project, to identify existing water, sewer and drainage infrastructure and connections.

The work will affect both parking and traffic throughout the downtown construction zone.

Several parking spaces on the east and west sides of Central Square will be unavailable from 7 a.m. until the end of each workday. Spaces marked with orange cones or barriers are designated as no-parking areas. Nearby public parking lots will remain available.

The Roxbury Street intersection with Central Square will remain closed. Drivers traveling toward Central Square on Roxbury Street will be directed to use Franklin Street and Beaver Street as a detour.

Temporary lane shifts and closures will also affect Main Street between Water Street and Central Square, on both the northern and southern sides of the roadway.

Additional sewer utility work and test pits are scheduled for Monday, Nov. 2, on Main Street near Davis Street. Parking spaces and portions of Central Square within active construction areas may be temporarily relocated, closed or detoured.

The city and contractor anticipate restoring normal traffic and parking conditions by the end of each workday, although motorists should be prepared for changing patterns as work progresses.

Other Construction and Road Work

Elsewhere in Keene, several road and infrastructure projects will bring additional traffic adjustments:

  • Court Street: Beginning Monday, Nov. 2, at 9 a.m., All States Construction and subcontractor L&D Pavement Markings will install pavement markings between Winter Street and the Route 9 overpass. Traffic will be reduced to alternating one-way travel while crews work.
  • River Street: Beginning Monday at 8 a.m., Frank Lucius Construction will replace a collapsed storm drain near 140-150 River St. The project is expected to take approximately three days. Traffic will alternate in one direction at a time, with normal conditions restored at the end of each workday.
  • Kelleher Street: Mike Pappas Construction will begin installing a sewer service near the intersection of Marlboro Street on Monday at 8 a.m. Traffic will be shifted to maintain two-way travel around the work area. The project is expected to be completed within one day.
  • Marlboro Street: On Wednesday, Nov. 4, Bazin Brothers Trucking and subcontractor L&D Pavement Markings will install pavement markings between Eastern Avenue and Main Street. Alternating one-way traffic will be necessary during the work.

George Street Bridge and Robin Hood Park

Work will also continue on two longer-term city projects.

At the George Street Bridge, New England Infrastructure Inc. is scheduled to perform site cleanup and continue utility installations beginning Monday. George Street will remain closed, with detours continuing throughout construction. The current phase is expected to extend approximately four more weeks before the project shuts down for the winter.

At Robin Hood Park, Weston & Sampson CMR will continue demolishing the swimming pool deck beginning Monday. Access to active construction and equipment staging areas will remain restricted for public safety.

The city is asking everyone traveling through construction zones to slow down, obey posted signs and traffic-control devices, and remain alert for workers and changing traffic conditions.

Questions about the downtown project can be directed to project ombudsman George Downing at (603) 757-2105 or gdowning@keenenh.gov. The City of Keene Public Works Department also encourages residents to consult its construction updates and Parking Services webpage for additional information.