10-Year Transportation Improvement Plan 

During October, the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT) held four public hearings in the Southwest Region - among 33 similar hearings throughout the State. These hearings, conducted in Walpole, Harrisville, Peterborough, and Keene were an opportunity for discussion and input on the NH Department of Transportation’s (DOT) proposed 2009-2018 10-Year Transportation Improvement Plan. While the current 2007-2016 Plan contains approximately $4 billion worth of projects, revenue estimates for this period are projected at $2 billion. This discrepancy is in part a result of increased costs for highway construction and repair due to inflationary costs of materials (asphalt, steel, etc.), labor, land, design, and permitting over recent years. The 2009-2018 Plan proposes removal of roughly $1 billion of activity by reducing the scopes of various projects, shifting project schedules, phasing projects, and removing projects which are part of the turnpike system from the Plan. The proposed Plan makes adjustments to projects throughout the State including many in the Southwest Region. The hearings helped explain the severity of the funding situation. In addition, DOT indicated an emphasis on safety, preservation and maintenance of the existing transportation system in facing the challenge of an over-subscribed Plan. During the hearings, the Planning Commission with input from its Transportation Advisory Committee, expressed concern over further delay of several projects; re-iterated DOT’s priorities of safety, preservation and maintenance; indicated the importance of working together with the State and municipalities in addressing the challenges that lie ahead; and suggested the need to look at the revenue side of the equation. The GACIT will meet during November to discuss input received at the hearings and consider any amendments prior to submitting the Plan in December for the Governor’s review and consideration. For further information, please contact Tim Murphy of Commission staff.

Commission Assists Town of Nelson with CDBG Application

On behalf of the Town of Nelson, Commission staff recently submitted a Community Development Block Grant application seeking funding to support expansion of facilities at the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music (AHCCM). The $120,000 request will support construction of a year round facility and will help to provide operating capacity to hire 6 new employees. This funding request will be combined with $180,000 in Community Development Investment Partnership tax credits raised by AHCCM from local businesses. The AHCCM is known worldwide and is an integral part of the creative economy of Southwest New Hampshire. For more information, please contact Matthew Suchodolski of Commission staff.