KEENE, N.N. (MyKeeneNow) Motorists traveling through downtown Keene should expect additional traffic impacts over the next two days as work continues on the city’s long-awaited Central Square reconstruction project.

The City of Keene announced that several temporary traffic changes and parking restrictions will remain in effect through Friday as crews continue utility work tied to the multi-year downtown infrastructure project.

Parking spaces along Central Square between Winter Street and West Street will continue to be unavailable while construction is underway.

Drivers should also be prepared for changes beginning Thursday and continuing through Friday. The outbound slip lane from Central Square to West Street will be closed during construction activities.

Traffic on Central Square heading south toward Main Street may be reduced from two lanes to a single lane as work requires, while inbound traffic on West Street will remain open but could also be narrowed to one lane.

City officials are encouraging motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to use caution when traveling through the downtown area and to plan for possible delays.

The work is part of Keene’s major downtown reconstruction project, which officially got underway this month after years of planning. The multi-year effort includes replacing aging underground utilities, rebuilding streets and sidewalks, improving accessibility, enhancing stormwater infrastructure and creating updated public spaces throughout Central Square and surrounding streets.

Before the city’s contractor began reconstruction work, Liberty Utilities started installing a new natural gas main through Central Square to coordinate improvements with the larger downtown project.

City officials say traffic patterns may continue to change as construction progresses and recommend allowing extra travel time when passing through downtown.