Construction crews will repave South Main Street for the next week, causing traffic problems and temporarily eliminating parking spaces.
Hanover Police Captain Christopher O'Connor said the two-to-three phase repaving project began on Monday and should last until next week.
"We started construction now since it's after all of the major events in Hanover from Commencement to Shriners," O'Connor said. "We also wanted to have construction finished before the start of Fall term."
O'Connor said construction crews will remove the top layer of pavement from East Wheelock Street down to Grand Union. Crews are looking for areas of the street that need to be reinforced, he said.
"The Highway Department will then go in and repave the street," O'Connor said.
O'Connor said there will be no parking on South Main Street for the next week.
"No parking gives them the chance to do all the needed repairs without being interrupted by cars," he said.
O'Connor said he hopes to keep two-way traffic going, especially during rush hours, but "one lane may be shut down at times depending on where the heavy equipment is situated."
O'Connor urged drivers to expect delays and to avoid South Main Street if possible.
But the lack of parking on South Main Street does not necessarily mean less business for Main Street stores and restaurants.
"Today's really been busy, and we don't understand why," said Chris Stowe, manager of the Dartmouth Co-op. Stowe said he does not expect the increase in customers to continue. "We may lose some walk-in traffic and some local Hanover customers."
Eliana Driscoll, the manager of Eastman's Pharmacy, also said business has been normal.
Other businesses reported a slight decrease in customers.
"The construction has slowed up the deli, but the restaurant is fine," said Stephen Colanero, manager of Molly's Balloon. "The deli gets more walk-in traffic, but the restaurant is more destination oriented."
The grinding and repaving of Main Street is part of a $60,000 capital investment improvement project. O'Connor said the repaving project has "been on the books since last year."