City of Franklin
City of Franklin, New Hampshire
New Hampton Road Water Main Replacement Project
10/20/2020
The $3 million dollar “New Hampton Road Water Main Replacement Project” is nearing completion and under budget. Park Construction Company of Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire has installed close to 3 miles of a combination of 16-inch and 12-inch ductile iron water main extending from Babbitt Road to the City’s Sanbornton Wellfield. This main is critical to the City’s water distribution system upgrade as a secondary and back up source for the entire City and was recommended for replacement by the Director of Municipal Services. The pipe line is deemed a critical asset due to its age, pipe condition, break history and water quality issues. The pipe being replaced is an undersized 8-inch water main which was originally installed in the mid 1940’s, is in poor condition and at the end of its useful life. The project also replaces all 89 service connections to the curb stop at the residential property lines. The installation of new fire hydrants will greatly improve fire protection. The Municipal Services Department appreciates the traveling public’s patience as this important project nears completion.
The project was originally planned to be finished with only a permanent trench pavement for any disturbed areas of pavement, however City highway funds are now being allocated towards the cost of full width and full depth road reconstruction. The City is responsible for New Hampton Road from the intersection of Babbitt Road to the intersection of Gile Pond / New Boston Roads, which is approximately 7,800 feet. NHDOT is responsible from that point into Sanbornton. New Hampton Road has pavement rating condition of poor.
Road reconstruction of New Hampton Road has been on the City’s radar for over 10 years! Our plan has been to reconstruct, but not before we improved and updated the sub- surface infrastructure. Since the water main project is projected to be under-budget, the City and our engineer Tata & Howard worked with Park Construction and the NHDES Staff, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Program to revise the project to include a full width roadway reconstruction this Fall. A portion (6 feet disturbed by the water main project) of this road reconstruction will be funded under the City’s DWSRF Program and the remaining 18 feet will be paid for from the City’s road Program funding.
On or about November 2nd, of this year, Park Construction and its subcontractor Continental Paving, Incorporated will fully reclaim the existing pavement full width and full depth to the sub-base. The reclaimed material will then be fine graded and compacted with excess material being trucked to the City Gile Pond Road pit. The road will then be paved with a 2-1/2-inch binder (base course) pavement and re-striped with work being completed by November 30, 2020. In 2021, the City will then apply a 1-1/2 top wearing course of pavement to complete the reconstruction of New Hampton Road. The full width resurfacing cost for the 1-1/2” top course will be funded fully from the City’s Road Program. Simultaneously in 2021, the NHDOT will be resurfacing their portion of New Hampton Road from the intersection of Gile Pond Road / New Boston Road through Sanbornton.
This work will require alternating lane closures with traffic control so it is recommended that you consider alternative routes and avoid the area as much as possible however, through access will be maintained. Certified flaggers will be handling traffic control in the work zones. The City is coordinating with Police, Fire, and First Student Transportation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at (603)934-4103.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brian Sullivan, Director and Justin Hanscom, Deputy Director