The existing cast iron water main was constructed over 100 years ago. The serviceable life of the pipe has come to an end. A new 12-inch ductile iron water main will be installed along Littleworth Road (NH Route 9) between Columbus Ave and the bridge over the railroad tracks, as well as along Old Littleworth Road. This will replace the existing 8” cast iron water main. New water services will be installed at each property, to the edge of the right of way. Fire hydrants will be replaced in several locations. Water service through the existing main pipe will be maintained during construction, switching to the new main pipe after connection and testing.
Paving work on Littleworth Road will include trench patches where driveways will be crossed, and larger mill & overlay sections around the intersections of Columbus Ave and Industrial Park Road across from 29 Littleworth Road. Paving work on Old Littleworth Road will be full-width repaving following subsurface utility installation.
Additionally on Old Littleworth Road, new sewer main and services will be installed where none existed prior. Services will be capped at the edge of the right of way. This will provide the option to property owners to tie into the City sewer as they may need.
Along Littleworth Road, traffic will be reduced to one lane alternating directions, controlled by flaggers. The primary location of the new water main will be along the shoulder of the South/West sides of Littleworth Road, and driveways on this side of the highway will experience blockage for a short time as the construction crew proceeds. Ample notice will be given to residents when driveway access will be blocked.
Along Old Littleworth Road, traffic will be restricted to local residents only. Driveway access will be maintained as best as possible, and ample notice will be given to residents when driveway access will be blocked.
City staff encourages residents in the construction zone who have bulky item waste (and have purchased bulky item tags) to call Community Services at 603-516-6450 before regular trash pickup. This helps the city coordinate with Waste Management and ongoing construction activities and ensure the items are picked up.
Stay tuned for weekly updates once this project begins.
Construction is expected to commence in September 2026. Work along Littleworth Road will be shut down for the winter as needed. Work on Old Littleworth Road may continue through the winter as weather conditions permit. Project completion is expected in May 2027.
A public meeting will be scheduled soon to present the project details to impacted property owners and provide for public questions and answers. Notification of the meeting will be sent to property owners as soon as the meeting is scheduled.
As the project develops, the City of Dover plans regular email updates to help residents and businesses plan for the construction disruption. To sign up for these updates, visit https://bit.ly/dovernewsletters, and add "Project update: Littleworth Road Water and Sewer Improvements" to your email subscription list.
Tim Sobieski, Municipal Construction Project Manager Email
Matthew Gibbons, Deputy City Engineer Email
Jillian Semprini, City Engineer Email
Phone: 603-516-6450