KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Drivers traveling through downtown Keene should expect significant traffic changes this week as construction crews continue water-main work in Central Square, while several other road and infrastructure projects move toward completion across the city.

From Monday, Oct. 5, through Friday, Oct. 9, northbound and southbound traffic through Central Square will be reduced to a single travel lane. Several parking spaces on both the east and west sides of the Square will also be unavailable during working hours.

The most significant traffic change is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, when southbound access through Central Square to Main Street will be closed. Drivers will be directed around the work zone using West Street, School Street and Gilbo Avenue.

The changes are part of the ongoing Central Square reconstruction, where Casella Construction crews are continuing installation of the new water main and connecting downtown buildings to the upgraded system. Work this week is expected to focus on the south side of the Square between West Street and Roxbury Street, along with additional service connections on the east and west sides.

Crews may work beyond 5 p.m. when weather and daylight allow, with the goal of returning traffic and parking areas to normal conditions at the end of each workday.

The latest work follows an unexpected problem during a recent water-main connection. An existing valve believed to be about a century old failed while crews were attempting to operate it, resulting in a longer and larger temporary water-service shutdown than originally anticipated. City Public Works crews responded and replaced the failed valve.

Several public parking lots within walking distance of Central Square will remain open. City officials are reminding motorists that any spaces marked by orange cones or barriers are considered no-parking areas during construction.

Residents and businesses can also get a closer look at the upcoming downtown work during the next Coffee & Hardhats meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Keene Transportation Center. Representatives from Casella Construction will be available to discuss the project and answer questions.

Elsewhere in Keene, construction activity is continuing on several projects:

Marlboro Street: Crews are finishing sidewalk panels, street signs, landscaping and other work between Baker Street and Eastern Avenue. Traffic will be reduced to alternating one-way or shifted two-way travel through the work zone. Paving is expected to begin Friday or sometime the following week, depending on weather.

George Street Bridge: The bridge replacement project remains active, and George Street will stay closed while crews work on streambed restoration and installation of the new bridge. The city estimates approximately eight more weeks of construction, with traffic continuing to use the established detour.

Eastern Avenue/THT Trailhead: Final work is underway, including installation of fencing and fence slats, completion of gravel shoulders and site cleanup. The remaining work is expected to wrap up around Oct. 16, weather permitting.

City officials are cautioning drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to slow down and pay attention to changing traffic patterns around all active construction zones. Temporary closures, detours and other work-zone changes may shift as projects progress.

For questions about the downtown project, residents can contact Downtown Project Ombudsman George Downing at (603) 757-2105 or gdowning@keenenh.gov.