Downtown Keene Utility Work Brings Detours, Closures and a Planned Shutoff

Crews may remain on site beyond 5 p.m. when weather and daylight allow.

Work tied to Keene’s downtown infrastructure overhaul is continuing this week, with crews concentrating on water main installation near Central Square while drivers, pedestrians and businesses face a changing pattern of closures and restrictions.

Casella Construction completed a major stretch of new water main last week, extending the line from Washington Street to the south side of Central Square. The next phase, running from Monday, September 28, through Thursday, October 1, calls for additional installation along the south side of the Square and west toward West Street. Crews also plan to connect service lines to buildings on the east side of Central Square.

A tie-in with the existing main on West Street is scheduled for Thursday, October 1. That step will require a temporary water shutoff affecting select properties on West Street and in Central Square. Affected property owners, managers and tenants are expected to receive notice by Monday.

Traffic impacts will be widespread during the work. On Monday, the east and west sides of Central Square will each be narrowed to one lane, although northbound and southbound movement through the Square will remain open.

From Tuesday, September 29, through Wednesday, September 30, the north end of Central Square will be closed to cross traffic. During that same period, northbound traffic on Washington Street will be rerouted by way of Union Street and Court Street.

West Street at Central Square will be closed from Tuesday through Friday as well. Drivers heading westbound and southbound through the Square will be sent to Gilbo Avenue and School Street, while eastbound traffic on West Street will be diverted through School Street, Gilbo Avenue and Main Street.

Parking will also be limited. Spaces on the north, east and west sides of Central Square will be unavailable from 7 a.m. until the end of the workday Monday through Friday. City officials said multiple public parking lots within walking distance of the Square will stay open for use.

Crews may remain on site beyond 5 p.m. when weather and daylight allow, part of an effort to keep the project moving efficiently.

At the same time, city officials are evaluating a possible adjustment to the construction schedule. During this week’s Municipal Safety, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee meeting, Casella Construction presented a revised phasing approach that could extend work into early winter and speed up later stages of the project.

Staff are now reviewing that proposal. If it is approved, underground utility work between Water Street and Emerald Street could begin earlier than planned in the spring. Officials expect a more complete schedule to be released soon.

City leaders are urging motorists, cyclists and people walking downtown to stay alert and expect traffic patterns to shift as the project advances.