Latest updates
- Contractors plan to install a temporary water system during the week of April 19 that will service customers when the old water main is replaced. No water shutoffs are anticipated.
- During the week of April 26, contractors plan to tie water customers into the temporary water system. The tie-ins will require temporary water shutoffs expected to last no more than an hour. Advanced notice will be provided.
- More disruptive work is scheduled to begin the week of May 3, when contractors begin digging sections of deep trenches along Washington Street and Main Street to replace the eight-inch 133-year-old pipe with a new 12-inch main. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and detoured where necessary.
Monday, April 19:
- Daytime work will include installing a fire hydrant at Chapel Street and Main Street and temporary patch paving on excavated areas.
- Parking will be prohibited on the southerly side of Chapel Street from Main Street to the entrance of Janetto's Plaza.
- Chapel Street at Main Street will be closed to traffic starting in the morning. Traffic will be detoured to Broadway and Saint John Street; additional parking and detours may be required during the day to facilitate paving.
- Paving work will occur on:
- Broadway
- Chapel Street
- School Street
- Portland Avenue
- Young Street
- Washington Street near TD Bank Building
- Central Avenue and Third Street
- Central Avenue and Broadway.
- No water shutoffs anticipated.
Tuesday, April 20:
- Temporary water system to be installed on Main Street between School Street and Broadway
- Parking restrictions will be required on Main Street between Chapel Street and Broadway from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate work. Restrictions will be lifted as work is completed.
- No water shutoffs anticipated.
Wednesday, April 21:
- Temporary water system to be installed on Main Street between Washington Street and School Street and on Washington Street in front of the Washington Street Mills.
- Parking restrictions will be required on both sides of Washington Street in front of Washington Street Mills from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate the work. Restrictions will be lifted as work is completed.
Thursday and Friday, April 22 and 23
- Temporary water system to be installed on Washington Street from the Central Avenue/Henry Law Avenue intersection to Water Street in front of the Washington Street Mills.
- Parking restrictions will be required on the southerly side of Washington Street from Henry Law Avenue to the front of the Washington Street Mills from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. to facilitate the work. Restrictions will be lifted as work is completed.
- No water shutoffs anticipated.
The work schedule may change depending on conditions on the ground. Notice of significant schedule changes will be provided with as much advanced notice as possible.
Any questions associated with the water shutoffs should be directed to the City’s Community Services Department at 516-6450. Questions related to parking should be directed to the Parking Bureau at 516-6132.
Email updates
The City of Dover sends regular email updates about the project. To sign-up, visit bit.ly/doverdownload and select "Project updates: Washington and Main Water Improvements."
About this project
The City of Dover is committed to proactively maintaining the municipal water system to ensure consistent high-quality water is available to those who live in, work in and visit the City. As part of the ongoing effort to replace the oldest and most at risk of failure water infrastructure, the Washington Street and Main Street Water Improvements project will target replacement of some of the oldest water distribution pipes in the Downtown area.
The project area includes all of Main Street, Washington Street from Central Avenue to Main Street and a portion of Henry Law Avenue closest to Washington Street. Replacement infrastructure includes approximately 3,000 feet of new ductile iron water main that meets the needs to today’s water systems and will provide reliable water service for the next 100+ years.
After a competitive process, the City Council at its Oct. 14, 2020 meeting, authorized the City of Dover to contract with N. Granese & Sons, Inc. of Salem, Massachusetts to complete the work. Underwood Engineers is the City’s engineering consultant who completed the design and will oversee the construction. Construction is anticipated to begin in March of 2021 and be completed in October 2021.
Due to the high vehicular and pedestrian traffic within the project area, many construction measures have been included in the design and construction contract to limit project disturbance. These measures include, temporary water services, night work, and limited construction hours. Although, these construction measures are designed to help, the area will undoubtedly experience temporary traffic congestion and service disruptions, the City asks the public for patience and understanding as we work through this critical infrastructure project.
An information meeting was held Monday Feb. 8, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the meeting was held virtually.
For more information or questions about the project, contact Assistant City Engineer Max Kenney, PE at m.kenney@dover.nh.com or (603) 516-1915.
As the project progresses, abutters and residents can sign up to receive regular updates via email. To sign up, visit bit.ly/doverdownload and select "Project updates: Washington and Main Water Improvements."