FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
Latest Updates

  • More disruptive work is likely to begin the week of May 17, 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 water main. Traffic will be reduced to one lane and detoured where necessary.

  • Drivers should pay close attention to the construction signs when driving and parking downtown. Temporary water mains are laid along the curb and marked by construction barrels and signs. If water lines are hit by a vehicle, it could result in a rupture of the lines and damage to the vehicle.

  • Many steel plates will be placed on the sidewalks in the downtown area. Pedestrians should remain attentive and use caution when walking along sidewalks in work areas.

  • Report any damage to the temporary water system to police dispatch at 603-742-4646.

Friday, May 7:

  • Work is underway this morning to connect the Bonny Staffing/Metro Spa building to the temporary water system.

  • Work begins this afternoon to connect the Day’s Inn to the temporary water system.

  • The Shanty building was tied in earlier this week.

  • All properties on the Chapel Street and Broadway temporary water system will be connected as of today.

  • Parking restrictions will be required on Main Street, between Chapel Street and Broadway. Parking will open as the work is completed.

  • No road closures are anticipated.

Monday, May 10:

  • In the morning, contractors will connect the Garrison City Beerworks and TD Bank buildings to the temporary water system.

  • In the afternoon, contractors will connect the Children’s Museum and Indoor Pool buildings to the temporary water system.

  • All properties on the Washington Street to Chapel Street temporary water system will be connected as of Monday.

  • Parking restrictions will be required in front of the Museum. Parking will be opened as work is completed.

  • No road closures are anticipated.

Tuesday, May 11:

  • Contractors will work throughout the day to connect the three Cocheco Mill services to the temporary water system.
  • This work will require the assistance from Dover crews to install a grounding jumper on the 4-inch water service to the gym, anticipated to be around 9 a.m.
  • It is extremely like the fire alarm for the Cocheco Mill will activate multiple times during the day.

  • Parking restrictions will required on Washington Street from Central Ave to the Washington Street bridge. Parking will be opened as work is completed.

  • No road closures are anticipated.

Wednesday, May 12:

  • Contractors will work in the morning to connect the Washington Street Mill’s second-feed connection to the temporary water system.
  • The Mill is not expected to lose water given the looped system. If water does need to be shut off, Dover Fire and Rescue anticipates the fire alarm will activate between 8 and 9 a.m.

  • All properties on the Central Avenue and Mains Street temporary water system will be connected as of Wednesday.

  • Contractors will work on Henry Law Ave preparing for material delivery and preparing for water main installation. The large excavator will be relocated from between Third and Fourth streets to Henry Law Avenue.

  • Contractors will dig test pits on Washington Street near the Washington Street Bridge. 

  • Parking restrictions will be required on Washington Street and Henry Law Avenue. Parking will open as the work is completed.

  • Road closures will be in place on Henry Law Avenue in the afternoon. Traffic will be detoured down Williams Street.

  • As of Wednesday all of the temporary water systems will be fully active and the underground mains getting replaced will begin to be shutoff. 
Thursday, May 13:

  • Contractors will dig test pits at the intersection of Washington and Main streets and Main and Young streets.

  • Crews will install a new water main on Henry Law Avenue.

  • Parking restrictions will be required on Washington Street and Henry Law Avenue. Parking will open as the work is completed.

  • Road closures will be in place on Henry Law Avenue in the afternoon. Traffic will be detoured down Williams Street. A short-duration closure on Portland Avenue may be required. If so, traffic will be detoured via Chapel Street.

Friday, May 14:

  • Crews will install a new water main on Henry Law Avenue.

  • The contractor will pave trenches.

  • Parking restrictions will be required on Henry Law Avenue. Other restrictions may be required. 
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 is focused on replacing 3,000 feet of critical water main infrastructure under Washington Street and Main Street. These are some of the oldest water distribution pipes in the City of Dover that are more than 130 years old.

The contractor will install 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 is expected to have significant traffic impacts and limited durations of water shutoff as infrastructure is replaced. The project remains on schedule for substantial completion on Aug. 19, 2021, and final completion on Sept. 18, 2021.

This work includes street excavation, lane closures, and overnight water shutoffs in the downtown area. 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. Uneven road conditions and sidewalks are likely to occur, 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/