Navigating New Hampshire’s Urban Paths
“When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realized that the Lord doesn’t work that way. So I stole one and asked Him to forgive me.”
— Emo Philips, US comedian
Hello New Hampshire! I hope you’re enjoying this glorious September!
In this edition, let’s talk about:
- Cycling to the Polls
- Pine Street progress
- The GACIT Hearings
Cycling to the Polls
If your town had a primary Tuesday, I hope you made it to the polls to vote. In Manchester I spent the morning visiting a few different polling locations and saw three people coming to the polls by bicycle. One was named Mike Becker who lives in Ward 2.
After voting he put his “I voted!” sticker proudly on the side of his helmet, which I thought was the perfect spot.
Mike returned to cycling, after being away from it for a while, to help him recover from some medical issues. He’s finding it effective, and he’s also loving it. He finds it just plain fun.
Pine Street progress
Paving and painting of Pine Street is now pretty much done.
However, significant work to sidewalks still remains, so pedestrians on Pine Street should be cautious, the sidewalks are still very rough there.
But the streets are looking very nice.
The GACIT Hearings
In New Hampshire, all forms of transportation are overseen by a state government group called GACIT – the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation. One of the things this group does is maintain an evolving forward-looking ten-year plan of ongoing and upcoming projects for transportation infrastructure.
Every two years they revise the ten-year plan. This revision includes soliciting input from the citizens of the state. To do this they hold a series of public meetings around the state. I attended one of these meetings in Manchester on Tuesday. Below is a summary of that meeting.
But first, it’s important to note that more of these meetings will occur throughout the month of October. You should attend one if you can. The state depends on public input to discover and meet everyone’s needs. See the meeting schedule HERE.
Also, public input can be submitted electronically until November 6, 2025. You may do so by sending email to: william.e.watsonjr@dot.nh.gov. All comments received will become part of the public record.
GACIT consists of six members: all five Executive Councilors, who serve as voting members, plus the Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT).
Now, the meeting summary….
Following opening and introductory remarks, NHDOT gave a 15-minute presentation, then the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission gave a 5-minute presentation, then the meeting opened for Public Comment. The meeting was fully open to the public, and all attendees were allowed to speak. Public comment lasted for roughly one hour.
Key points of NHDOT’s presentation included the $4.5 billion budget, with $3.1 billion allocated to roads and bridges and $680 million to aeronautics, rail, and transit. The plan faces funding challenges due to flat revenues and rising costs, leading to the removal of $400 million worth of projects. Specific projects like Manchester’s exit 6 and 7 were highlighted for their economic and safety importance. The discussion also covered the need for increased funding through tolls and gas taxes to support infrastructure improvements and public transportation.
Overview of the 10-Year Transportation Plan
- The plan is required by state law (RSA 228:99 and RSA 240) and involves a 10-year process.
- The plan considers community transportation needs and priorities for the next 10 years.
- The plan includes a toll increase as a potential funding solution, which will be discussed in the legislature.
Detailed Presentation on the 10-Year Plan
- Tobey Reynolds provided an overview of the funding schedule, which starts in the fall of 2024 and ends in the summer of 2026.
- The plan includes a $4.5 billion budget over 10 years, with major sections for roads and bridges, aeronautics, rail, and transit.
- Federal funding is primarily used for aeronautics and transit, with local and state funding for these sectors.
Challenges and Strategies in the 10-Year Plan
- Tobey Reynolds discussed the challenges of flat revenue and increasing project and operating costs.
- State revenue will be reallocated to pay back debt service on the I-93 loan, affecting the available funds for paving and bridges.
- The strategies include focusing on maintenance and preservation, with $150 million per year allocated for these programs.
- The plan includes reallocating federal funds to make up for the loss of $20 million from the SB 367 gas tax.
Impact of Funding Constraints on Specific Projects
- The plan includes 39 projects fully funded, 35 projects delayed, and 34 projects removed from the plan.
- The focus is on maintaining core programs and addressing critical infrastructure needs.
- The plan includes revenue enhancement or toll increase to support essential projects like the Bow-Concord Corridor and Manchester exits six and seven.
Regional Planning and Community Input
- Nate Miller from the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) discussed the role of regional planning in the 10-year plan process.
- The commission serves 14 municipalities, including Manchester, and solicits transportation improvement projects from these communities.
- The current 10-year plan cycle faces major constraints due to inflation and stagnant revenues, affecting the inclusion of new projects.
- Specific projects for Manchester, including the exit six and seven projects, were discussed, highlighting the importance of these projects for the city’s economic growth and safety.
Public Comments and Feedback
- Mayor Jay Ruais emphasized the importance of including the Exit 6 and 7 project in the 10-year plan.
- Representative David Preece advocated for the inclusion of passenger rail service from Nashua to Concord.
- Jim Jalbert, representing CNJ Bus Lines, supports a fuel tax increase to fund transportation projects, citing the economic benefits for the state.
- Caleb Dobbins, Manchester Department of Public Works Chief Highway Engineer, highlighted the city’s growth and the need for infrastructure improvements to support ongoing development.
- Jodie Nazaka, Economic Development Director for Manchester, highlighted Manchester’s growing bio-fabrication industry, bringing over $250 million in federal funding since 2016, with $44 million just last year. NH has the fifth-highest concentration of tech employment of all U.S. states. We have over 600 live science businesses here. Substantial investments are pouring into Manchester from sources including the Department of Defense and the Economic Development Administration. We must prioritize infrastructure improvements that should have been addressed a decade ago. They are vital for the city’s continued growth. Cuts to the exit six and seven projects are a disinvestment in the future of our entire state.
Additional Public Comments and Conclusion
- Tim Clougherty and Ben Hebert discussed the importance of community transportation for older adults and people with disabilities.
- Paul Susca from Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire emphasized the need for safer infrastructure for biking and walking.
- Nancy Murphy raised concerns about Merrimack’s low salt designation for public health and environmental protection reasons.
- The meeting concluded with a call for further public input and a reminder that the formal record will remain open until November 3 for additional comments.
Call for Input
We very much want to hear from you! Do you have any questions or concerns? What topics would you like us to cover? Send your feedback our way and we’ll get on it! We want to ensure this column meets your needs.
Stay safe, cool, and hydrated, and have fun out there!
Note: The author is a member of the board of the Bike Walk Alliance of New Hampshire, but the views expressed in this article are his own.