Current Projects

This page provides a summary of all of the Engineering projects for Salem. For more detailed information and regular updates on a particular project, please visit our Projects webpage.

2012 Projects

Pelham Road Reconstruction: As part of an ongoing Road Improvement Program, the Town of Salem, NH will be undertaking the reconstruction of Pelham Road during the 2012 construction season. The project will consist of "full box" reconstruction of the road bed, roadway re-alignment, intersection improvements, new pavement, and improvements to the drainage system. The project extends from approximately Bailey Road west to Cassidy Avenue.  Construction is anticipated to begin in early spring and extend through the construction season.

Completed 2011 Projects

Brookdale Road and Brady Avenue Road Reconstruction As part of an ongoing Road Improvement Program, the Town of Salem, NH will be undertaking the reconstruction of Brookdale Road and Brady Avenue during the 2011 construction season. The project will consist of "full box" reconstruction of the road bed, minor realignment, intersection improvements, new pavement, and improvements to the drainage system.

South Policy Street & Cluff Crossing Road Reconstruction As part of an ongoing Road Improvement Program, the Town of Salem, NH will be undertaking the reconstruction of South Policy Street and Cluff Crossing Road during the 2011 construction season. The project will consist of "full box" reconstruction of the road bed, minor realignment, intersection improvements, new pavement, and improvements to the drainage system.

Chappy Lane and Lisette Drive Road Reconstruction As part of an ongoing Road Improvement Program, the Town of Salem, NH will be undertaking the reconstruction of Chappy Lane & Lisette Drive during the 2011 construction season. The project will consist of reclaimation of the road bed, minor profile adjustments, new pavement, and improvements to the drainage system.

South Policy Street Bridge Replacement In the summer and fall months, a new precast concrete rigid frame structure will be installed to carry South Policy Road over Porcupine Brook. This project will replace a deteriorated structure constructed in 1935. The project is being executed through the NHDOT Municipally Managed Bridge Program, and consequently, the Town will receive 80% reimbursement of the project costs

Town Farm Road and Lawrence Road Design The Town's ongoing Road Improvement Projects will advance planning and engineering design associated with future reconstruction of portions of Lawrence Road (south), Town Farm Road, and Bluff Street Extention. Design and environmental permitting is scheduled to be ongoing through the summer and fall of 2011. The Engineering Department will be contacting residents along the design route to advise them of a future neighborhood informational meetings.

Town Farm Road Bridge Design During 2011 planning and engineering design will be ongoing for future replacement of Town Farm Road bridge over Spicket River.

Canobie II Design This project involves comprehensive capital work include road reconstruction, drainage, sewer, and water installation. In 2009, the Town was advised that plans for extending municipal water and sewer to Canobie Lake residents in the general areas of West Dustin Road and South Shore Road might be eligible for ARRA funding in the form of a grant through the NH Department of Environmental Services State Revolving Fund (NHDES SRF). While ARRA funding is now looking less likely, the timing of this project will be addressed during the Town's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) process.

Christine Lane & Pumping Station Road The town of Salem has an on-going design effort on various neighborhood streets according to the newly adopted 10-year Road program.  Christine Lane and Pumping station road are currently being designed according to the 10-year road program document available for viewing at the Town Projects website, the Town website, and at the Town Hall.

2010 Completed Projects

Lawrence Road Bridge over Spicket River Replacement of an existing, deteriorated jack-arch bridge will be undertaken at this location starting in the spring of 2010 and is planned to be completed in the late fall of 2010. The old structure was on the NHDOT red list and has a posted weight restriction. The new structure will receive funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program. As a result, the combination of these funding sources will result in a 100% reimbursement to the Town for reconstruction of this bridge.

N Main Street Bridge over Widow Harris Brook
Replacement of an existing stone masonry and reinforced concrete bridge will be undertaken at this location later in the spring/summer of 2010 and is planned to be completed in the late fall of 2010. The structure was subjected to temporary closure during the spring flooding of 2006 and interim measures were implemented in order to reopen the roadway to traffic. Eighty percent (80%) of costs associated with the bridge replacement will be reimbursed to the Town through the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program.

Emerson Way Bridge over Widow Harris Brook
Replacement of an existing reinforced concrete structure will be undertaken at this location later in the spring/summer of 2010 and is planned to be completed in the late fall of 2010. The structure was subjected to temporary closure during the spring flooding of 2006 and remains a one lane road to date. Eighty percent (80%) of costs associated with the bridge replacement will be reimbursed to the Town through the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program.

Cluff Road Reconstruction Project
Reconstruction of Cluff Road started in early April 2010 and will continue into the fall of 2010. The project involves road realignment, drainage upgrades, new road gravels and paving, resulting in a significant improvement to driving conditions along this frequently traveled road.

2009 Completed Projects

Pelham Road Bridge over Porcupine Brook
Replacement of an existing, deteriorated and undersized structure was conducted in 2009. The new structure is a precast concrete box structure designed to better handle the hydraulic flow within Porcupine Brook. Eighty percent (80%) of costs associated with the bridge replacement will be reimbursed to the Town through the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program.

Cluff Crossing Bridge over Policy Brook
Replacement of an existing, deteriorated steel plate arch was conducted in 2009. The old structure was on the NHDOT red list and had a posted weight restriction. The new structure is a precast concrete box structure. Eighty percent (80%) of costs associated with the bridge replacement will be reimbursed to the Town through the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program.

2009 Road Improvement Program Proposal
The 2009 Road Program consisted of the repair and/or reconstruction of Ball Avenue, Matthew Drive, and Tudor Drive. Construction started in July 2009 and was substantially completed in the fall of the year.

2008 Completed Projects

Shore Drive Road and Drainage Improvement Project

This capital project involved the reconstruction of road and drainage improvements to Shore Drive, a portion of Cove Road, and Wheeler Dam Road. This group of roads constituted approximately 19,000 linear feet of roadway, and essentially comprised the main route along the southerly side of Arlington Pond between North Main Street and East Broadway.

2008 Haverhill Road Bridge Replacement

This capital project was the initial bridge to be replaced as part of the Town’s Bridge Program. The location, Haverhill Road over the Spicket River (adjacent to the intersection of Haverhill Road and North Main Street), was determined to be eligible for the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program, and as such, the Town received reimbursement of 80% of the costs related to the bridge work.

Work was conducted in 2008, and the project has been completed and closed out. The Town has received approximately $ 454,000 in reimbursements from the NHDOT Municipal Bridge Aid Program for bridge costs associated with the work.

Ongoing Engineering Department Initiatives

Canobie Phase II – Sewer/Water Extension and Road Improvements

TThis design project involves the engineering and planning for a future capital project which will result in the reconstruction of road and drainage improvements, plus installation of sewer and water extensions into two separate neighborhoods on the Salem side of Canobie Lake. The work represents the second phase of a program that would bring municipal sewer and water service to neighborhoods in the vicinity of Canobie Lake and will generally encompass the neighborhoods around West Duston Road and South Shore Drive.

2008 Drainage Inventory and Assessment Program

The Drainage Inventory and Assessment Program is an ongoing project which consists primarily of a comprehensive inventory of all drainage structures (i.e. catch basins and manholes) and pipe outfalls. The inventory is supplemented by a condition assessment of the structures and outfalls, such that the data could be utilized within the Town’s Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM) software, and as a tool for future prioritization of system maintenance.

In addition to the above, pipe outfalls will be observed to determine potential for the presence of illicit discharges within the drainage system, and a protocol will be developed by which any such discharges will be addressed and eliminated from the drainage system.

This effort represents a portion of the Town’s Stormwater Management Program (SWMP) which was developed to meet requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II stormwater regulations. Work on this project will continue through 2010. Subsequent phases of work will also be implemented subject to Town funding in future years.

Salem's Infrastructure Asset Management Software (SamIAM)

The Engineering Department continues to work in cooperation with IT and DPW, to manage and update Salem's Infrastructure Asset Management database. Short term goals include the compilation of roadway, drainage, sewer, and water information for incorporation into the Town's Asset Management Software. Long range, the IAM will provide the means to inventory, track, and plan, future improvements to and investments in Salem's road, drainage, sewer, and water systems.

Please direct any questions on these projects to Robert Puff, Engineering Director at 603-890-2033.