Central Square Construction Moves East as West Street Sewer Work Starts

From Monday through Wednesday, the north side of Central Square will be closed to vehicle traffic.

Crews working on Keene’s downtown infrastructure project are entering another stage this week, with water-main installation advancing on the east side of Central Square while sewer work gets underway on West Street.

Casella Construction spent the previous week laying new water main along the west edge of Central Square and then along the north side. The contractor will now continue near the Washington Street intersection on the north side beginning Monday, Sept. 14, before shifting farther east later in the week. Sewer-main work is also set to begin on West Street near Central Square and will move west from there.

Some of the familiar granite bollards and chains around Central Square Common have been taken down for now. City officials said the pieces will be cleaned and returned as the project progresses.

Drivers should expect a changing traffic pattern tied to the next phase of construction. From Monday through Wednesday, the north side of Central Square will be closed to vehicle traffic. Northbound drivers will be routed from Washington Street to Union Street and then to Court Street, while southbound traffic on Washington Street will also be sent through Union and Court streets.

Parking on the north side of Central Square will not be available from 7 a.m. until the end of the workday Monday through Wednesday. The city says any space marked by an orange cone or barrier should be treated as closed.

Another round of lane changes begins Wednesday and continues through Friday, when the inside northbound lanes through Central Square will be shut down and one northbound lane will remain open. During the same period, eastbound traffic on West Street will be narrowed to one lane between St. James Street and Central Square.

Officials said crews may stay beyond 5 p.m. when daylight, weather and productivity permit, with the aim of reopening traffic and parking each day whenever possible. Public parking lots within walking distance of Central Square will remain open.

Because conditions on the job site can change quickly, the traffic plan may also be adjusted. City officials are asking motorists and pedestrians to stay alert and use extra caution in the area.