Twice-daily weekday blasting begins on the Spaulding Turnpike on Wednesday

The blasting will occur between Mile Marker 16.4 and Mile Marker 17. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER -- The state's Department of Transportation announced on Monday that blasting operations on the Spaulding Turnpike will begin on Wednesday in connection with the construction of a new sound wall.
The blasting will take place between Mile Marker 16.4 and Mile Marker 17 adjacent to the Briar Ridge Estates housing development.
Short-term rolling roadblocks will be utilized on the Spaulding Turnpike northbound and southbound to control traffic when blasting is conducted.
Blasting will occur between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and between 10 a.m. and noon on Fridays. Two blasts are anticipated each day.
Warning whistles will notify persons in the immediate area of blasting. Three whistles indicates five minutes until the blast, two whistles indicates 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, N.H. is the prime contractor for the $23 million project, which is scheduled to be completed in June 2024.