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The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has relaunched its I-93 widening project, and while there’s a shiny new slogan—"Creating connections for our capitol community and beyond"—the proposal is essentially the same one that was shelved two years ago. We urge all Concord residents to attend the DOT’s public meeting on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 6pm at the Concord City-Wide Community Center. This may be the last opportunity for the public to voice their concerns and ask important questions about this huge project that could dramatically reshape our city, both physically and environmentally.
KEY CONCERNS
Expansion:
The plan will result in an 8-lane highway that slices through Concord, dividing the east and west sides. Across North America, the outmoded concept of adding lanes has been shown to INCREASE, not alleviate, traffic congestion—an effect known as induced demand.
Environmental Impacts:
The expansion threatens to increase noise and air pollution, further degrading the Merrimack River area. This comes just as Concord has been making strides in enhancing riverside public spaces, including the Sunfox Farm Sunflower Fields, Kiwanis Park redevelopment, and the Merrimack River Greenway Trail.
Pedestrian & Bike Infrastructure:
While NHDOT initially committed to improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities, the current plan reflects backtracking on these promises. The proposed pedestrian and bike improvements are identical to the outdated 2022 design, with key enhancements now listed as "possible" rather than guaranteed.
KEY QUESTIONS WE SHOULD BE ASKING:
Speed & Safety: The plan focuses on speeding up traffic. How does this align with NHDOT’s “Driving to Zero” initiative, given that driver speed is a leading cause of traffic fatalities?
Alternatives: NHDOT claims this is the “least impactful alternative,” but what other alternatives were considered, and why were they rejected?
Traffic Analysis: What are the results of the updated traffic analysis promised in 2023?
Merrimack River Greenway Trail: Why are the previously committed improvements now uncertain?
City Council Commitments: When will NHDOT return to Concord City Council, as promised in November 2022?
Construction Impact: The project won’t be completed until 2038. What disruptions and road closures can we expect during this 15-year construction period?
Transit & Infrastructure: What improvements are planned for park-and-ride, HOV, and bus services?
Deck Park Commitment: What progress has been made on the deck park, pedestrian bridge, and public improvement initiatives discussed in 2022?
Part-Time Shoulder Use: Has part-time shoulder use for peak travel periods, like on I-95, been studied for this project?
Pedestrian Safety: Will the Loudon Road underpass sidewalk remain passable in winter?
Support for Unhoused Populations: What assistance will be provided to the unhoused populations displaced by the highway expansion?
Exit 14 Removal: Has NHDOT considered eliminating I-93 exit 14 to Loudon Road to enhance connectivity between downtown Concord and the Merrimack River, given the city's ample access points to the highway? The current cluster of on/off ramps at Exit 14 contributes to the dangerous Loudon road and is already virtually impassible for pedestrians and cyclists.
Cut-Through Traffic Solutions: What alternative solutions are being considered to address neighborhood traffic issues during the lengthy construction timeline?
This I-93 widening project poses long-term challenges for Concord, and it’s crucial that we demand better from NHDOT—better solutions, better alternatives, and a real commitment to protecting our community. Show up and be heard on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 6:00 PM at the Concord City-Wide Community Center.
Links: NHDOT I-93 Project Site
Gratefully,
Concord Greenspace
PS. For background on Concord Greenspace’s advocacy around the I-93 widening project please go to our website page here.
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