Full Notification

On Sunday, September 19th from 7:00 AM through 7:00PM, the Chief of Police will be invoking his emergency powers and prohibiting parking on specific streets in the downtown area of the City of Portsmouth for the Criterium Bicycle Race.

The following street will be closed for traffic and vehicles shall NOT be parked on these streets or they may be towed at the owner's expense:

Maplewood Ave from Hanover Street to Middle Street
State Street from Middle to Washington Street
Pleasant Street from Court Street to Market Square
Congress Street
Market Square
Fleet Street from Hanover Street to Court Street
Market Street from Bow Street to Market Square
Daniel Street from Chapel Street to Market Square
Penhallow Street
High Street from Market Square to Ladd Street
Ladd Street
Church Street
Court Place
Chestnut Street (both sections)
Porter Street
Haven Court
Sheafe Street

Violators will be ticketed and towed.

Vendors not properly licensed will not be allowed in the Criterium Bicycle Race area.

Set up will take place from 8:00am with the first bike race beginning at 11:00am. The races will continue until @5:45pm with roads expected to be reopened at 7:00pm.

This race may cause periodic to significant delays in traffic in the downtown area.

Residents and business owners needing access into the race area once the area has been closed must contact Race Director Susanne Delaney at 603-817-2736 or on the web at www.portsmouthcrit.com .

Due to the expected large crowds, pet owners are requested not to bring their pets. If pets are brought they must be properly restrained (leash required) and bring proper pet waste disposal. Skateboards, roller blades, and scooters will not be permitted.

There will be uniformed police officers and event volunteers present at the Criterium Bicycle Race to assist the public, and to ensure a safe environment for the participant's enjoyment. The Portsmouth Department of Public Works will also be assisting with barricades for street closures.

This is an alcohol free event.

Please refer to the Criterium web site at www.portsmouthcrit.org for an event map and further information.

The Portsmouth Police contact for this event is Captain Mike Schwartz. Contact number will be 603-610-7408.



If you are coming to Portsmouth on I95 (from either the North or the South), the following route is recommended:



Take I95 to Exit 3. Head East on Rt. 33 to Middle Road, cross over Middle Street and onto South Street. Some parking will be available in the Parrott Ave parking lot or the South Mill Pond lot.



The High/Hanover Parking Garage will have flat fee of $3.00 dollars from 10:00 AM to 5:00PM.