FRIDAY, AUG. 27, 2021
Latest Updates

  • All sections of the new water main are in operation, and all properties are connected to the new system. The contractor is installing secondary water connections at specific sites and water meter boxes for irrigation.

  • A water shutoff is expected Wednesday, Sept. 1, around 9 p.m. for Central Avenue water users between Kirkland Street and the Central Avenue Bridge to allow the contractor to cap a section of the water main at Central Avenue and Washington Street and remove an old hydrant. The shutoff is expected to last two to three hours. 

  • Beginning the week of Sept. 6, the contractor will begin milling and repaving trenches dug during the project, creating a more level roadway. The work will start at Henry Law Avenue, then continue along Washington Street to Main Street. Next year, a full pavement overlay is planned once the soils of the work areas have had a chance to settle over the winter.

Traffic and parking restrictions for the week of Aug. 30

Monday, Aug. 30

  • Work area will be at the Shanty Dover, at 471 Central Ave. and the Chapel Street/Central Avenue concrete island.

  • Parking will be restricted on Central Avenue northbound from Chapel Street to just past the Day's Inn driveway.

Tuesday, Aug. 31

  • Work area will be the intersection of Washington Street and Central Avenue, where crews will make road cuts in preparation for Wednesday's night work.

  • This may require lane reductions at times through the work area.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

  • Daytime work area will be Central Avenue northbound from the Chapel Street/Central Avenue concrete island to the grass island between Central Avenue northbound and southbound.

  • Nighttime work area will be the intersection of Central Avenue and Washington Street to cap the main and remove a fire hydrant. This will require lane reductions through the work area and the above-mentioned water shutoff.

Thursday, Sept. 2

  • Work area will be at Immigrants Park near the intersection of Main Street and School Street.

  • This may require parking restrictions nearby the project area.

Friday, Sept. 3

  • The contractor will pave the week's work areas in the afternoon, resulting in intermittent lane closures throughout the work area. The contractor also plans to begin pouring concrete in sections of the sidewalk dug during the project.
The work schedule may change depending on conditions on the ground, and as much advanced notice as possible will be provided for significant schedule changes.
About the project
The Washington and Main Water Improvements project replaced 3,000 feet of critical water main infrastructure under Washington Street and Main Street, some of the oldest water distribution pipes in the City of Dover that were installed in the late 1800s.

The contractor installed a new ductile iron pipe that will provide reliable water service for the next 100-plus years. The project began on March 22, 2021. The six-month project has had significant traffic impacts and limited durations of water shutoff as infrastructure is replaced. The project remains on schedule for final completion on Sept. 18, 2021. A complete street paving overlay will occur in the spring of 2022.

This work includes street excavation and lane closures. See the map below for the project area, or click here for the project page with project maps.

The City encourages pedestrians and motorists to be vigilant while moving throughout the downtown area and look for signs providing information about the project and sections of streets and sidewalks closed for construction. There are areas of uneven roads and sidewalks, so please use caution driving, riding bikes and walking in the area.

To receive these email updates about the project, visit bit.ly/doverdownload and select "Project updates: Washington and Main Water Improvements."
The above map shows the project area for the replacement of the water main along Main Street and Washington Street. This map and detailed maps of where isolation valves are located are available at the project page: https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/community-services/current-projects/washington-and-main-water-improvements/