Week 1 Done for South Main Street Construction Project

With the first week of construction in the books, the Concord Main Street Project moves on to week two of 2016.

With the sidewalks partially gone already, the Concord Main Street Project wants to remind everyone that all businesses are still open. Bread and Chocolate is still turning out coffee, treats, and sandwiches; Vibes is grilling burgers every day; Live Juice is as healthy as ever. In other words, don't be afraid to venture downtown.

Upcoming work

Crews will continue to work at the northern end of South Main Street performing considerable utility work. On Monday, April 4, 2016, crews will close the western end of Hills Avenue to install conduit across the roadway. Hills Avenue will however, be accessible from Storrs Street throughout the day. On Tuesday, April 5, removal of the sidewalk curb will continue south to Theatre Street. Underground utility work including underground drainage and hydrant work will continue throughout the work zone through Friday.

Underground utilities?

The Concord City Council will meet on Monday, April 11, 2016, to hold a public hearing and to vote on the appropriation of funds to underground utility lines between Pleasant and Thompson streets on the west side of South Main Street.

The city council previously made a decision not to spend the money to bury power lines when it scaled back the project from a "complete streets" project - Storrs to Storrs - to a smaller, less expensive project, running from Centre to Theatre.

The estimate, however, has come in slightly lower than before - about $2 million. Officials also believe that burying the power lines will help to spur redevelopment of the former New Hampshire Department of Employment Security building, which has been mothballed since it was purchased nearly four years ago for nearly $1.6 million.

For more updates about the Concord Main Street Project, visit concordmainstreetproject.com.