The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) is announcing blasting operations on the Spaulding Turnpike (NH 16) in Rochester to facilitate the construction of a new sound wall.

On Wednesday, March 9, blasting operations will commence on the Spaulding Turnpike between Mile Marker 16.4 and Mile Marker 17.0 adjacent to the Briar Ridge Estates housing development.

Short-term rolling roadblocks will be utilized on the Spaulding Turnpike Northbound and Southbound barrels to control traffic when blasting is conducted.

Blasting will occur between 10 am and 2 pm on Monday through Thursday, and between 10 am and 12 pm on Fridays.  Two blasts are anticipated each day.

Warning whistles will notify persons in the immediate area of blasting.  Three whistles indicate five minutes until the blast, two whistles indicate one minute until the blast.  One whistle immediately after the blast indicates all clear.

The overall duration of this blasting work is anticipated to be five weeks.

The proposed work is part of the Dover-Rochester 29440 project. RS Audley, Inc of Bow, NH is the prime contractor for the $23 million project, which is scheduled to be completed in June 2024.