Raymond contractor I.C. Reed was laying utility lines to the property for Unitil.

"Essentially, that work entails putting in new poles, new wire, upgrading the voltage to a higher voltage than it is, and replacing several transformers," said Unitil spokesman Scott Wade.

Linemen employed by IC Reed and Sons of Raymond work on powerlines along Portsmouth Avenue in Exeter on Tuesday. The crew was doing prep work for a major line extention. Photo by Jay Reiter

The crews have been working for about two weeks, Wade said, and expect to be there for two more.

Stop & Shop spokesman Rob Keane said groundbreaking for the new store remains on track for March.

The planning board approved the 24-hour, nearly 70,000-square-foot store and 10,000-square-foot adjoining retail space last spring on 9.5 acres of property owned by Kevin King. King Motor Sales anchors one side of the lot.

The main entrance to the store will be off Holland Way, which will be slightly widened around the entrance, Keane said. There will be two smaller entrances from Portsmouth Avenue.

Keane said it was too early to estimate a completion date for the store.