Water service line replacement: East Watson to Back Road
Requires temporary, individual water service disruptions
On Monday, Jan. 12, S.U.R. Construction Inc. workers will begin replacing water service lines on Court Street between East Watson Street and Back Road. These replacements will require temporary, individual water service interruptions. Workers will knock on doors to notify residents of the disruption before work begins. Only the city-owned portion of the service line will be replaced, which runs from the water main to the curbstop at the property line.
Traffic restrictions
Court Street will be reduced to one travel lane in the project area between East Watson Street and Back Road during construction hours, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Flaggers will alternate traffic. Residents should anticipate delays.
The contractor will post NO PARKING signs in work areas as needed.
Drainage installation: Union to East Watson Street
A second crew will begin installing drainage infrastructure on Court Street, beginning at Union Street. Work is expected to start on Tuesday, Jan. 13, or Wednesday, Jan. 14. Drainage installation will continue southerly to East Watson Street.
Traffic and parking restrictions
Union Street will be closed at Court Street during construction hours, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for 1-3 days. Vehicle access to Union Street will be via Central Avenue. Flaggers will be on hand to assist traffic. Residents should anticipate delays.
Court Street will be reduced to one lane near Union Street, with flaggers alternating traffic.
The contractor will post NO PARKING signs in work areas as needed.
Contact city about property drainage connection location
Part of the reconstruction project is installing storm service connections for each property along the public right-of-way. These connections can be installed at the property owner's preferred location along the public right-of-way with coordination with the City of Dover's Community Services Department.
The new system provides residents with a prime opportunity to redirect yard drains, downspouts, and sump pump discharge lines to the city’s municipal stormwater system. Email Matt Gibbons, deputy city engineer, for more information.
All residents are encouraged to inspect their existing drains, gutter downspouts, and sump pump discharge lines to ensure they are not tied into the sanitary sewer system. Removing this type of improper connection to the sewer system is required by law, prevents overloading the sewer system, which lowers overall treatment costs, and safeguards our local environment.
Notify city of bulky item trash to ensure its picked up
City staff encourages residents in the construction zone who have bulky item waste (and have purchased bulky item tags) to call Community Services at 603-516-6450 before Tuesday's regular trash pickup. This helps the city coordinate with Waste Management and ongoing construction activities and ensure the items are picked up.
Questions/Concerns?
Residents who have concerns about how construction may affect their property are encouraged to contact the Community Services Engineering Department to schedule an onsite meeting.
For non-owner-occupied properties, the city recommends property owners to encourage their tenants to sign up for project email updates.
Sign up for project email updates by visiting https://bit.ly/dovernewsletters and adding “Project update: Court Street and Union Street Reconstruction” to your current email subscription list.
Neighborhood meeting 8/14/2025
Thank you to all those who attended the Aug. 14, 2025 neighborhood. For those who were unable to attend, a recording of the meeting and the presentation materials are available on the project website.
Right of Entry letters mailed
The contractor may need to temporarily step onto private property outside the public right-of-way to properly connect the limits of the project to private property and ensure positive drainage. City staff have mailed Right of Entry letters to property owners abutting the project detailing what to expect.
Questions?
- Matthew Gibbons, PE, Municipal Construction Project Administrator, at m.gibbons@dover.nh.gov, 603-516-6450.
- Jillian Semprini, PE, City Engineer, at j.semprini@dover.nh.gov or 603-516-6450.
CONTRACT DRAWINGS
- Bid contract drawings for Court and Union Streets Reconstruction Project #B25014
- Complete #B25014 bid package
Concept Plan
The project limits include Union Street, from Central Avenue to Court Street, and Court Street from Central Avenue through Middle Road to just east of Hubbard Road. Following feedback through neighborhood meetings, emails and survey, the final plans incorporate a combination of the two initial concept plans presented to the public. The plans utilize shared use lanes and bike lanes depending on the section of the project.
