On November 18, 2024, the Portsmouth City Council and NHDOT had a work session on the proposed 1.7-mile US-1 widening and reconstruction project between Ocean Road and Wilson Road. A partial meeting summary can be found in the article below.
Portsmouth residents blast taking land for Route 1 walking path
Additional information about the project is as follows:
This US-1 project first appeared in the NHDOT Ten Year Plan ten years ago in 2014 and was expected to cost $8.6 million dollars (see link below)
As presented, the project will feature an “express” one way 5-foot-wide bike lane next to a travel lane and a one way “slow poke” 5-foot-wide bike lane next to the 5-foot-wide sidewalk in each direction, for a total of four bike lanes and two sidewalks for the entire length of the project
Easy to understand typical cross sections were not presented that clearly show the existing right-of way width (typically 66 feet) and the final proposed right-of-way width after eminent domain land takings at various locations along the project. It appears these typical pre and post construction cross sections are most needed between Hoover Drive and the M & T Bank.
Taxpayers just spent $5 million dollars on a major NHDOT 8-mile-long north-south rail trail / bike path corridor that runs parallel to US-1 between the Hampton Airfield and Barberry Lane in Portsmouth. How this project could off-set the need for second major north-south corridor with four new bike lanes was not discussed.
The approved funding for the project is now set at about $11 million dollars. The project is expected to cost at least $ 20 million dollars. Options to make up the $ 9 million-dollar short fall include future allotments from the NHDOT Ten-Year Planning process, Portsmouth taxpayers, or SABR bake sales.
Construction is now scheduled for 2028 through 2030.
It was not made clear how the proposed two roundabouts, where traffic often never stops, at Southgate Plaza and Walmart intersections, are safer for children and pedestrians to cross than traditional signalized intersections, where traffic is required to stop.
11.18.2024 City Council Work Session at 31 min 21 secs Estimated Construction Costs $ 20 million
 11.18.2024 City Council Work Session |
typ-2025-2034-complete-book-approved-scenario-1e.8-9-2024.pdf TYP 2025-2034 effective August 9, 2024 see page 175 of document Estimated Project Cost $17.3 million
rpt_TYP_Alpha_13-22_ALL_Official_Gov_Version_I_Approved_6-11-12_V1.2.pdf TYP 2015-2024 effective August 1, 2014 see page 42 of document Estimated Project Cost $8.6 million
Portsmouth 29640 | Department of Transportation NHDOT Project website
NH DOT US Route 1 Project – Public Meeting – Portsmouth Pulse July 24, 2024 Meeting
