KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Construction activity in Keene’s Central Square is entering another busy phase, with gas, sewer and water work expected to affect traffic and parking throughout the coming week.

Liberty Utilities has finished connecting new gas lines to the existing system along the west and south sides of the square. The company will now move its work to the east side near Roxbury Street.

Beginning Monday, parking on the east side of Central Square will be unavailable weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. as crews install the new gas line. Drivers should be prepared for periodic lane shifts around the work area.

Casella Construction, which is handling the city’s downtown construction project, will continue investigating underground utilities at the point where Court Street enters Central Square. That work will require a temporary detour for traffic coming from Court Street. Southbound motorists will be directed onto School Street and then to West Street to reach the square.

Casella also is preparing for the installation of new water and sewer infrastructure. Three trees on the west side of Central Square are scheduled to be removed Wednesday so they can be transplanted elsewhere.

Parking along the west side of the square will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to accommodate that work. Lane shifts and temporary detours are also possible as construction progresses.

The city said traffic signs, cones and flaggers will be used as needed to guide motorists and pedestrians through changing work zones.

The increased construction activity follows the completion of tree removal in Central Square on Thursday and Friday, as well as exploratory excavation by Casella at utility connection points involving West Street, Washington Street and Roxbury Street.

City officials are urging anyone traveling through Central Square to slow down, watch for changing traffic patterns and use caution around construction crews.

Questions about the downtown project can be directed to Downtown Project Ombudsman George Downing at (603) 757-2105 or gdowning@keenenh.gov. Assistant City Engineer William A. Siemer can be reached at (603) 352-6550.