Planning for the Hinsdale-Brattleboro Existing Bridges and Island Area

Credit: Christopher Ramage, Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Overview

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) have plans to replace the Charles Dana and Anna Hunt Marsh bridges that connect Hinsdale, NH to Brattleboro, VT via Route 119, by constructing a new single-span bridge over the Connecticut River. After construction, the new bridge will serve Route 119 traffic, and the existing bridges and parts of the road previously used for Route 119 traffic will be repurposed to host pedestrian and bicycle activity. The new bridge’s construction was advertised for bids in March 2021 with completion expected in 2024.

The repurposing of the Charles Dana and Anna Hunt Marsh bridges represents a unique opportunity for Hinsdale, NH and Brattleboro, VT to reimagine their connection to each other and to the Connecticut River. A citizen’s advisory group serving as the Hinsdale-Brattleboro Bridge Project Advisory Committee (PAC), was formed to provide guidance to NHDOT, VTrans, and the towns of Hinsdale and Brattleboro on design matters related to both projects. The Hinsdale-Brattleboro Existing Bridges Subcommittee (Subcommittee) was formed to focus specifically on the historic bridges, island and their connections to the towns. The Subcommittee’s charge is to:

1. evaluate existing conditions that may have a bearing on the future use and management of the existing bridges and island;

2. conduct outreach and engagement activities to understand public sentiment related to the bridges and island; and

3. develop an inclusive vision for the island and bridge area that is informed by a cross-section of community stakeholders.

Your Input

We are seeking your input. Here are ways you can provide it:

1. Attend any of the four scheduled online public forums planned for 2020 and 2021. Visit the www.swrpc.org webpage for a schedule of all SWRPC related upcoming events. SWRPC's Facebook page will also be used to announce these forums. Videos of past meetings are shown below as links to help catch you up with on-going planning efforts.

2. Attend any of the upcoming Hinsdale-Brattleboro Existing Bridges Subcommittee meetings. Visit the www.swrpc.org webpage for a schedule of all SWRPC related upcoming events. Past meeting agendas, minutes and presentations are available for review below.

3. Contact us at [email protected]

Conceptual Plan Products

The following draft products associated with the conceptual plan were submitted by Christopher Ramage from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Mr. Ramage is providing support to the Hinsdale-Brattleboro Existing Bridges Subcommittee.

Revised Conceptual Plan (February 10, 2021)

Grading Plan (February 10, 2021)

Parking and Access Plan (February 10, 2021)

Planting and Restoration Plan (February 25, 2021)

Lighting Plan and Design Details (March 22, 2021)