New Hampshire

[vdeane]

I wonder why it's going to take so long.  That seems like a really long time to install a gantry and remove one toll barrier.

I may have missed it, but will Bedford be getting high speed EZPass?

That's the standard; it's generally OK to assume that such is the case when facilities go AET, outside of the COVID switches and the Golden Gate Bridge.  Incidentally, the removal of the booths is the first sentence of the article.

[shadyjay]

Bedford is the last mainline plaza without any sort of highway speed lanes, so this plaza going cashless is a plus. 

Does this mean Portsmouth and Hooksett are on the horizon as well?  Or will NH keep them as-is in order to not lose out on those interstate motorists that don't have EZ-Pass?

[vdeane]

Does this mean Portsmouth and Hooksett are on the horizon as well?  Or will NH keep them as-is in order to not lose out on those interstate motorists that don't have EZ-Pass?

I remember something about NH eventually wanting to convert everything, but who knows when.  Seems like they're slow-rolling it.  Plus they're currently replacing the tolling equipment at Portsmouth, so evidently they don't think they're going to switch that one any time soon.

[hotdogPi]

I'm a bit confused. Which road in Portsmouth has a toll booth?

[jp the roadgeek]

I'm a bit confused. Which road in Portsmouth has a toll booth?

Think she's referring to the Hampton tolls.

[vdeane]

I'm a bit confused. Which road in Portsmouth has a toll booth?

Think she's referring to the Hampton tolls.

Yes, that site.  Also, I was just keeping the same label that @shadyjay used in the post I was replying to.

[shadyjay]

Whoops, why did I say Portsmouth?  Obviously I meant Hampton.   

[garyaford]

If you look very closely, something was pried off of these signs for Exit 4 of the Everett Turnpike/US 3. The same is true for the sign at the exit (you can see bolt holes in both signs).

I'm not sure what this text was. It's not Rivier University because there's a sign next to the gantry mentioning the uni. There's also a lot of bolt holes, so a street name like "Main St" is too short (and "Daniel Webster Hwy" is too long).
[/

It was taken down shortly after 9/11. 
 

[yakra]

https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1917_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1937_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1945_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf

[SectorZ]

https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1917_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1937_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1945_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf

Never knew about the original route 132 (Pelham to Derry) on that 1945 map.

[yakra]

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/after-years-of-planning-construction-new-river-bridge-open-to-connect-vermont-new-hampshire/66699

[pderocco]

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/after-years-of-planning-construction-new-river-bridge-open-to-connect-vermont-new-hampshire/66699

So what's going to happen to the old road? There's nothing on the island that the road accesses, so they could remove all of it. Or, they could keep one of the bridges so people can fish from the island. Getting rid of the VT side bridge would make the most sense, I think. They could also dig up the western 50 yards of Bridge St, since there's nothing on it, reducing that weird 5-way intersection to a smoother flowing 4-way one. People could still access the parking along the tracks by crossing the tracks from Depot St.

Also, why did they cut that channel through the islend on the north side of the new bridge?

[hotdogPi]

It will be converted to pedestrian-only.

I don't think this will factor into the decision at all, but the westernmost point on land in New Hampshire is on the old bridge.

[SectorZ]

https://www.constructionequipmentguide.com/after-years-of-planning-construction-new-river-bridge-open-to-connect-vermont-new-hampshire/66699

So what's going to happen to the old road? There's nothing on the island that the road accesses, so they could remove all of it. Or, they could keep one of the bridges so people can fish from the island. Getting rid of the VT side bridge would make the most sense, I think. They could also dig up the western 50 yards of Bridge St, since there's nothing on it, reducing that weird 5-way intersection to a smoother flowing 4-way one. People could still access the parking along the tracks by crossing the tracks from Depot St.

Also, why did they cut that channel through the islend on the north side of the new bridge?

To add to what HDP stated, both bridges will be ped/bikes only. They are putting a new park including a small amphitheater onto the island. They intend on getting plenty of use out of it.

The five way intersection will still be five way due to a few businesses on old VT 119, but with tons less traffic from here on out using that part.

[yakra]

Will the junction still malfunction, then?
Hopefully they can make some helpful tweaks to signal phasing.

[SectorZ]

The Exit 4A project's phase two is starting. Was up there a few weeks ago and only some buildings were knocked down, but now there is a good cleared path from the dead-end part of phase one east to Folsom Rd.

[yakra]

Is the interchange itself open yet? Any temporary connection to Madden Rd? still a literal dead-end?

Either way I hope to be in the area this year or early Jan to check thing out for myself.

[SectorZ]

Is the interchange itself open yet? Any temporary connection to Madden Rd? still a literal dead-end?

Either way I hope to be in the area this year or early Jan to check thing out for myself.

No, no, and yes. The interchange is ready to go with two traffic signals, complete ramps, and a finished bridge, but alas just connects to a dead-end road. No signage yet, outside of road name signage on the mast arms of the traffic signals.

Per the project page it will connect at some point before phase two is fully complete but no date is referenced for that point. I assume because they aren't 100% sure what that point even is.

[hotdogPi]

https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1917_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1937_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1945_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf

Never knew about the original route 132 (Pelham to Derry) on that 1945 map.

I'm not finding this 132 on any of the maps here https://geodot-massdot.hub.arcgis.com/pages/historical-archives, despite the maps including New Hampshire-only routes, so are we sure it exists?

[SectorZ]

https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1917_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1937_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf
https://ftp.granit.unh.edu/NHDOT/Early%20Trunk%20Line%20maps/1945_Trunk%20Lines%20map.pdf

Never knew about the original route 132 (Pelham to Derry) on that 1945 map.

I'm not finding this 132 on any of the maps here https://geodot-massdot.hub.arcgis.com/pages/historical-archives, despite the maps including New Hampshire-only routes, so are we sure it exists?

I can go along with needing a second source to confirm that if you think so. I cannot find any other evidence besides that one map showing it ever existed.

I have a single map that shows NH 145 as NH 3 from a long time ago, and I've doubted that one since it's the only one I've ever seen showing that.

[yakra]

No, no, and yes. The interchange is ready to go with two traffic signals, complete ramps, and a finished bridge, but alas just connects to a dead-end road.

2 signals seems excessive. Compare the geometry here.
I assume there are not and never were plans to connect to the west?

Per the project page it will connect at some point before phase two is fully complete but no date is referenced for that point. I assume because they aren't 100% sure what that point even is.

ISTR reading about lawsuits, something about how a bike trail did or did not connect in the area. Don't know if / how long this may have delayed things or hit the pause button, or changed plans around. Either the article I came across was paywalled or I just didn't retain the info. Got any insight here?

I'm not finding this 132 on any of the maps here https://geodot-massdot.hub.arcgis.com/pages/historical-archives, despite the maps including New Hampshire-only routes, so are we sure it exists?

To play devil's advocate here, I'd be less inclined to take another state's DOT's info as gospel. NH isn't MassDOT's forte, and by definition they're gonna care less about NH.

I can go along with needing a second source to confirm that if you think so. I cannot find any other evidence besides that one map showing it ever existed.

I have a single map that shows NH 145 as NH 3 from a long time ago, and I've doubted that one since it's the only one I've ever seen showing that.

Lolderp:

At least one official MDOT map seems to imply Interstate 95 was briefly signed on the US 1 freeway in Brunswick-Bath in 1965, but all sources show the modern I-95 routing by 1967.

A larger discussion is outside the scope of the New Hampshire thread, so I'll just say "Yeah, no."

[SectorZ]

No, no, and yes. The interchange is ready to go with two traffic signals, complete ramps, and a finished bridge, but alas just connects to a dead-end road.

2 signals seems excessive. Compare the geometry here.
I assume there are not and never were plans to connect to the west?

Per the project page it will connect at some point before phase two is fully complete but no date is referenced for that point. I assume because they aren't 100% sure what that point even is.

ISTR reading about lawsuits, something about how a bike trail did or did not connect in the area. Don't know if / how long this may have delayed things or hit the pause button, or changed plans around. Either the article I came across was paywalled or I just didn't retain the info. Got any insight here?

No plans to extend west at all.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60f97037eae4fd6ad2a35aa3/t/62c85e725e3c1e35e9be6fd4/1657298547773/13065B-Color+Plan.pdf

The bike trail issue is interesting. You can see above the intersection of High and Folsom. Bike trails near it are in purple. The Derry rail trail ends just south of the as-built intersection. Initially, an underpass was supposed to go under Folsom just beside High. Instead, there will be an at-grade crossing that will have its own signal, along with a ridiculous offshoot to the east that will go under Folsom to the other side. You can see the hairpin turn built into it but can't see the enormous drop in elevation that will send even seasoned cyclists into the stream. I use that bike trail heavily and will use the new stretch being built up to Londonderry a ton, and I am personally fine with the grade crossing. I will never use that death trap they are building to the east.

This site explains things fairly well, https://bwanh.org/restoring-the-derry-rail-trail-tunnel-plan/

NH can't built bike trails very well, such as the Franconia Notch Bike Trail and it's 90 degree turn on a downhill above a 100' dropoff near exit 34C on I-93. That and the "bike trail" built along 89 where NH 10 was replaced by 89, a trail that was paved once and hasn't been repaved in over 50 years.

[kramie13]

My job had me traveling on I-93 in southern NH today.  Just north of Exit 4 for NH 102, I noticed a new interchange being built.

Does this mean the state will finally adopt mileage based exit numbers, at least on I-93?  Or are they going to label this new interchange as "Exit 4 and a half"?

Other existing "issues" that would be resolved from mileage based exit numbers on I-93 include both I-293 exits and the exit for I-89 are currently unnumbered, and in the Tilton area there's no exit 21 in either direction.

[The Ghostbuster]

Now that Kelly Ayotte is the new governor of New Hampshire, let's see if she finally allows the conversion of the state's exit numbers to mileage-based. I'm not holding my breath though.

[vdeane]

Does this mean the state will finally adopt mileage based exit numbers, at least on I-93?  Or are they going to label this new interchange as "Exit 4 and a half"?

Doubt it.  It'll just be Exit 4A, like this.  Sequential leads to weird stuff like that.