New Portland Avenue retaining wall underway

posted on 6/25/2024

The city’s contractor rebuilding the Portland Avenue retaining wall has completed about 25% of the new structure so far, with plans to finish the wall near the Fourth of July holiday, weather and other conditions permitting. 

When the retaining wall is complete, the contractor, G.W. Brooks & Sons, can begin other aspects of the project, including installing a sidewalk, guardrail and street lights on that section of Portland Avenue between Cochecho Street and Chapel Street. The new wall is being built further off Portland Avenue than the original one, allowing the installation of the new sidewalks, guardrail and lights. Work began earlier this month with excavation at the old wall and partially demolishing an old structure at the site. 

The current traffic pattern of a single lane of alternating traffic by temporary traffic signals is projected to continue through the end of September, as the project remains on schedule. The signal timing was reprogrammed after the first few days of work, due to traffic at times backing up to Washington Street. The new timing has improved traffic conditions.

Earlier this year, the City Council awarded the project contract to G.W. Brooks & Son, Inc., of Freedom, for a cost not to exceed $955,845. The city is also contracting with Wright-Pierce of Portsmouth for construction oversight. Wright-Pierce was also contacted to design the project.

The retaining wall project was initially authorized through the FY2022-2027 Capital Improvements Program to conduct a stability analysis and investigate whether it would be best to reinforce, repair or replace the wall. Upon investigation, the city concluded the retaining wall needed replacement, as engineers discovered during the stability analysis that the current one does not have support footing and is not technically a retaining wall. In December, the City Council authorized bonding an additional $1,100,000 to fund the project’s construction in a resolution appropriating for FY2025 CIP debt-financed projects. The City Council had previously authorized bonding $850,000 for construction and $250,000 for design engineering.

For more information, contact Community Services at 603-516-6450.