PORTSMOUTH – The demolition of the five-story, mixed-use, brick and masonry building located at 278 State Street, is scheduled to take place starting at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. The intersection of State Street and Pleasant Street will be temporarily closed starting at 11:00 pm. It is anticipated that the roadway will be cleared and reopened by 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Temporary lighting will be in place for all of the work overnight.
Structural demolition will be performed systematically from the top of the building to the bottom, using two track excavators, one with a 60-foot high-reach grapple. Handwork, such as the separation of wood debris from metal or concrete, will be conducted on the ground.
During demolition, spotters with radio communication will be positioned at all four corners of the closed-off area adjacent to the property. Construction debris will be consolidated starting Wednesday after the initial demolition and prepared for hauling offsite. Generators will supply power to the abutting properties during demolition. The property owner has received a sidewalk encumbrance permit for the week to facilitate the removal of demolition debris.
Traffic controls will be implemented during the loading and unloading of equipment and haul trucks, or at times when traffic will be impacted due to demolition activities. Abutters have been notified and an electronic message board is in place to alert the public.