Background

NHDOT is moving forward with 20+ year old plans to widen I-93 from 4 to 8 lanes (6 at points) between Bow through Exit 15, due to federal infrastructure funds being released.  I-93 runs right through the middle of our city, exacerbating a socio-economic and racial divide, damaging the urban landscape and natural environment, dividing resources, limiting sustainable development, significantly contributing to fossil fuel emissions, and degrading our greatest public resource, the Merrimack river. 

According to the data, research and expert opinion, highway expansion does not reduce congestion - it encourages more - this is called “Induced Demand”.  In his two part article on the I-93 expansion in the Concord Monitor, local reporter David Brooks brilliantly explains why highway expansion is wrong for Concord - we’ve expanded on his list here. There’s a huge amount of fuel to warrant a full fledged “push back on highway expansion” movement. Cities across America are pushing back on expansion and even dismantling their existing highway systems to right the wrongs of 1960s highway development.  Check out this recent article on why Denver and L.A. are backing away from highway expansions.

​

Our Approach 

Cautious about the viability of a full-fledged push back on the State without an enormous groundswell of support, Concord Greenspace has focused advocacy efforts on scaling back the highway widening while still meeting NHDOT’s stated safety mitigation objectives.  We've put significant effort into advocating for a plan that BENEFITS Concord including a deck park & pedestrian bridge (or comparable improvement opportunity) to unify the city which has been part of the city’s master plan for decades.  We understand that there are safety concerns and red-list bridges that need to be mitigated however resolving those issues need not go hand-in-hand with putting an 8 lane highway through our city. 

​

Our team of experts in engineering and planning helped craft this list of requests for DOT:

​

1. MINIMIZE the widening - reduce the number of planned highway lanes from 8 to 6 max.

2. Design the highway with a designated speed at 55 mph not 70 mph.

3. Design the expansion around the current traffic needs - not outdated data.

4. Improve safety design at interchanges for bikes/pedestrians.

5. Reduce the barrier effect of the railroad.

6. Provide major accommodations and safety considerations for bicyclists and pedestrians especially around multi-lane exits.

7. Provide barrier protected bike lanes on major commuting routes.

8. Provide plans clearly demonstrating "transitions" that tell drivers they are leaving the highway and entering a low speed city or neighborhood environment.

9. Include high quality streetscaping, landscaping and incorporate local art & culture at all interchanges.

10. Engage in a robust public process including workshops & charrettes.

​

​

Current Situation

At the Transportation Policy Advisory Committee (TPAC) meeting on 9/29/22 the committee reached a consensus to recommend to City Council "MINIMIZING" highway widening while still fixing the bridges, interchanges and weaving.  There was also consensus around the need for more traffic data.  There was strong public support for a deck park and pedestrian river bridge (or comparable improvement opportunity) at the 9/15/22 and 9/29/22 TPAC I-93 meetings and the 10/11/22 City Council meeting.  At the 10/11/22 City Council meeting, the Mayor asked NHDOT if they would work with a deck park firm to ensure that DOT's plan not preclude this improvement opportunity and they agreed. At the 11/14/22 City Council meeting, a motion passed to pursue a bid for a feasibility study for a deck park and pedestrian river bridge.  On 12/12/22, City Council will review I-93 community input, requests for DOT, and next steps. Currently, NHDOT is gathering requested traffic data and will likely be back in the near future to present their findings.  On Monday, June 12th City Council will vote on funding the Deck Park/Bridge Feasibility Study ($200,000) - show up in support of the Deck Park/Bridge Feasibility funding!

​

​

Next Steps

Join our efforts to advocate for a deck park and pedestrian bridge to unify Concord and for minimization of highway widening.  A deck park & pedestrian river bridge is a huge economic opportunity for Concord and will effectively unite our city and connect us to the Merrimack River.   ​

​

• Join us at the Monday June 12th 2023 City Council Meeting 7-9pm City Chambers to support the Feasibility Study funding!

• Write your City Councilors AND the City Clerk - cut and paste email addresses here:

pierce4council@comcast.net, brenttoddconcord@gmail.com, JKretovic@concordnh.gov, kmcnamaraward4@gmail.com, sfbrown@concordnh.gov, pwmclaughlin24@gmail.com, knyhan@concordnh.gov, gmatson@concordnh.gov, cwbouchard@concordnh.gov, zricehawkins@concordnh.gov, agradysexton@concordnh.gov, nfennessy@concordnh.gov, fkeach@concordnh.gov, chamby@comcast.net, jpbouley@comcast.net, cityclerk@concordnh.gov

​

• Join our I-93 team by emailing concordgreenspace@gmail.com

• Learn about the deck park & pedestrian river bridge vision? ​​

• Spread the word far and wide! ​

• Join the discussion on Facebook.

​

Resources

• Recent updates here​.

• Project history & plans here. 

• Check out the original deck park plan vision in Concord's Opportunity Master Plan (2005) here.

• Watch NHDOT's latest expansion proposal presentation here. 

• Read Claudia Damon's public letter to City Council here.

• Read the recent NYTimes article on highway expansion here.

• Read David Brooks 2-part article on I-93 Expansion in Concord here

​