Court Street & Union Street Reconstruction Project

Project update 3/18/2025

The reconstruction of Court and Union streets, which includes upgrades to utilities, drainage, and the street itself, is nearing fruition. Community Services Engineering staff anticipate advertising the project to qualified contractors later this month, with bids due at the end of April.

Providing that bids come in as estimated, the City Council’s authorization to award the bid would occur in May, with contractor mobilizing around mid-June. Once a contractor is selected, city staff will organize a neighborhood meeting with the contractor to inform residents what to expect during the construction phase.

The project is anticipated to take two construction seasons, with substantial completion by winter 2026. Final paving, clean-up and restoration would occur in spring 2027.

Right of Entry letters to be mailed

The contractor may need to temporarily step onto private property outside the public right-of-way to properly connect the limits of the project to private property and ensure positive drainage. In the coming weeks, city staff will mail Right of Entry letters to property owners abutting the project detailing what to expect.

Seven trees to removed following evaluation

As a matter of policy, the City of Dover avoids removing trees in the public right of way unless necessary for a project/infrastructure or safety concerns. As part of the design and due diligence, the city evaluated 27 trees within the project limits. The evaluation determined three trees need to be removed to construct sidewalks; four other trees are in poor to very poor condition that will be impacted by construction activities and pose a safety risk and need to be removed.

Tree waivers

Tree waivers will be mailed in the next couple of weeks to property owners within the project limits who own the trees within the public right-of-way that need to be removed.

Questions?

Contact Deputy City Engineer Jillian Semprini at j.semprini@dover.nh.gov or 603-516-6450.

Concept Plan

The project limits include Union Street, from Central Avenue to Court Street, and Court Street from Central Avenue through Middle Road to just east of Hubbard Road. Following feedback through neighborhood meetings, emails and survey, the final plans incorporate a combination of the two initial concept plans presented to the public. The plans utilize shared use lanes and bike lanes depending on the section of the project.  

• Court and Union Concept Plan

About the Project