City of Newburyport

Public Works

Water Main Replacement Project: Phase 2 Progress Update

2026-06-20 — Department of Public Works

Project Status

The Phase 2 water main replacement along High Street, Federal Street, and portions of Merrimac Street is approximately 65% complete as of June 2026. Work began in March and remains on schedule for completion by late September.

Current Work Areas

  • High Street (Route 1A): Pipe installation complete. Restoration and paving scheduled for July.
  • Federal Street: Active excavation between State Street and Brown Square. Expect lane closures weekdays 7 AM – 5 PM through mid-July.
  • Merrimac Street: Service connections being installed. Brief water interruptions (2-4 hours) will be communicated 48 hours in advance.

Traffic Impacts

Residents should expect alternating one-lane traffic on Federal Street during active construction. The detour route via Pond Street and Low Street remains in effect. All work is weather-dependent.

Contact

For questions or concerns, contact the DPW office at (978) 465-4461 or email dpw@cityofnewburyport.com.