The governor’s plan also utilizes $4 million in available Federal Transit Authority Funds for environmental and engineering assessment work for the Capital Corridor Rail project.
Continuing her efforts to ensure a solid, modern transportation infrastructure that sets the foundation for long-term economic growth, Gov. Maggie Hassan submitted her recommended Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan for 2017 to 2026.
"A solid and modern transportation infrastructure is critical to the success of our people and businesses, and the Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan is an important opportunity to build on our bipartisan progress over the last several years,” Gov. Hassan said. “This plan advances critical transportation goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility living within our projected revenues."
After holding 16 public hearings and four public work sessions across the state, the governor's Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) submitted its recommendations to the governor in December. Those recommendations include increasing funding for red-listed bridges and bridge preservation; completing the widening of Interstate 93; beginning the first phase of widening Route 106 in front of the New Hampshire Motor Speedway to 2018; accelerating construction of Exit 4A in Londonderry and Derry to 2019; and resurfacing an additional 200 mi. (322 km) of roads per year and replacing or rehabilitating an additional 23 red-listed bridges. The plan also focuses on preserving good roads now to avoid more expensive projects later.
As the Commission was finishing its work in December, the United States Congress passed the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, providing additional funding for New Hampshire. As a result, the governor's plan includes several additional recommendations.
In addition to GACIT's original recommendations, the governor's plan also accelerates by two years the East Hollis Street improvements and recommends a full replacement of the Hampton River Bridge project as opposed to a rehabilitation project. The governor's plan also has a strong focus on addressing deficient bridges by increasing the Bridge Preservation Program by $5 million per year in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 and adding $5 million per year to the state's Red List Bridge program in fiscal years 2022 through 2024.
The governor's plan also utilizes $4 million in available Federal Transit Authority Funds for environmental and engineering assessment work for the Capital Corridor Rail project, which was recommended by the Capital Corridor Rail Study as the next step required to move the project forward.
“Commuter rail will improve access to the entire region and provide new transportation and housing opportunities that 21st century workers and families are looking for, spurring economic development and creating jobs,” Gov. Hassan said. “The business community continues to call on us to take action on this vital project, and this plan will help us move forward.”
Pursuant to RSA 228.99 and RSA 240 of the Laws of New Hampshire, the governor is required to submit her recommended Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan by Jan. 15. The plan now goes to the state Legislature for consideration, beginning with the House of Representatives.
“We must continue working together to strengthen our transportation infrastructure, which will help set the foundation for long-term economic growth,” Gov. Hassan said. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature to continue addressing our transportation challenges so that our people, businesses and communities can grow and thrive.”
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