Circumferential Highway (Nashua)
Encyclopedia
The Circumferential Highway is the commonly accepted name for a bypass route
around the city of Nashua
in southern New Hampshire
, the majority of which has not yet been built. The purpose of the highway is to provide an alternate route for commuters to access the F.E. Everett Turnpike
and U.S. Route 3
in Nashua
. Most of the highway will be built in Hudson
, with small sections also built through the towns of Litchfield
and Merrimack
as well as the city of Nashua.
Currently, the only segment to be built is a short 2 miles (3.2 km) interchange road
between US 3, the Daniel Webster Highway
, and N.H. Route 3A
. This section utilzes the Sagamore Bridge, one of the two current bridges over the Merrimack River
connecting Hudson to Nashua. The completed section begins at US 3, terminates at NH Route 3A to the east, and has a single interchange between its termini with the D.W. Highway
before it crosses the river.
. Between Lowell, Massachusetts
and Manchester, New Hampshire
there are only three bridges over the Merrimack River. Drivers wishing to access U.S. Route 3
from the east side of the river have three options (listed here from south to north):
The Circumferential Highway would provide an additional river crossing between Nashua
and Manchester
, where one does not exist, and would expand the Sagamore Bridge crossing, bypassing the retail district and allowing better access to the US 3 freeway. The 30-year population boom in the region has only heightened the need for additional freeway access. A new Manchester Airport Access Road, scheduled to be completed in 2011, will provide this crossing of the Merrimack River a few miles south of I-293
.
, as well as small portions of Litchfield
and Merrimack
. This would require the seizure
and destruction of many homes, and the filling in of several wetlands. A 1993 report by the EPA expressed an "intent to veto" the project as it was then planned, all but killing the full highway. Of particular concern is the impact on the Pennichuck Watershed, a series of ponds and creeks along the Nashua/Merrimack border. A second study has been ongoing since 1995, but no action has been made on it.
Additionally, despite the population boom, there may no longer be the need for the entirety of the road as planned. The part of the highway that has been built, including the Sagamore Bridge rebuild, has bypassed the worst traffic problem, and allows easy access to U.S. 3
as well as the D.W. Highway
shopping district. Widening of Route 3A
in Hudson
has alleviated a lot of the traffic problem as well. Travellers also have alternate routes, especially for longer distance north–south travel. Drivers heading north of Manchester
or south of Lowell
can take I-93
to the east, a relatively uncongested rural highway. Also, US 3
in Nashua
has been extensively rebuilt and widened, improving access and capacity.
Bypass (road)
A bypass is a road or highway that avoids or "bypasses" a built-up area, town, or village, to let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic, to reduce congestion in the built-up area, and to improve road safety....
around the city of Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
in southern New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, the majority of which has not yet been built. The purpose of the highway is to provide an alternate route for commuters to access the F.E. Everett Turnpike
Everett Turnpike
The Frederick E. Everett Turnpike, also called the Central New Hampshire Turnpike, is a toll road in New Hampshire, USA, running from the Massachusetts border at Nashua north to Concord...
and U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
in Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
. Most of the highway will be built in Hudson
Hudson, New Hampshire
Hudson is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 24,467 at the 2010 census.The primary settlement in town, where 7,336 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Hudson census-designated place and is located at the junctions of New Hampshire...
, with small sections also built through the towns of Litchfield
Litchfield, New Hampshire
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 7,360 people, 2,357 households, and 2,031 families residing in the town. The population density was 487.5 people per square mile . There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 158.3 per square mile...
and Merrimack
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Merrimack is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 25,494 at the 2010 census, making it the eighth-largest municipality in New Hampshire....
as well as the city of Nashua.
Currently, the only segment to be built is a short 2 miles (3.2 km) interchange road
Interchange (road)
In the field of road transport, an interchange is a road junction that typically uses grade separation, and one or more ramps, to permit traffic on at least one highway to pass through the junction without directly crossing any other traffic stream. It differs from a standard intersection, at which...
between US 3, the Daniel Webster Highway
Daniel Webster Highway
Daniel Webster Highway is the name for several sections of U.S. Route 3 in New Hampshire. The highway is named after 19th century statesman Daniel Webster, a New Hampshire native.-Extent:...
, and N.H. Route 3A
New Hampshire Route 3A
New Hampshire Route 3A is a designation held by two separate state highways in New Hampshire. The two segments, although not directly connected, are linked by U.S. Route 3, from which they derive their route number.-Southern segment:...
. This section utilzes the Sagamore Bridge, one of the two current bridges over the Merrimack River
Merrimack River
The Merrimack River is a river in the northeastern United States. It rises at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin, New Hampshire, flows southward into Massachusetts, and then flows northeast until it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport...
connecting Hudson to Nashua. The completed section begins at US 3, terminates at NH Route 3A to the east, and has a single interchange between its termini with the D.W. Highway
Daniel Webster Highway
Daniel Webster Highway is the name for several sections of U.S. Route 3 in New Hampshire. The highway is named after 19th century statesman Daniel Webster, a New Hampshire native.-Extent:...
before it crosses the river.
Justification for the highway
The Circumferential Highway has been planned since the 1950s, as the need for such a road has been apparent for a long time. To date, however, only a short 2 miles (3.2 km) segment has been built. One of the major provisions of the plan for the Highway is to provide a new crossing over the Merrimack RiverMerrimack River
The Merrimack River is a river in the northeastern United States. It rises at the confluence of the Pemigewasset and Winnipesaukee rivers in Franklin, New Hampshire, flows southward into Massachusetts, and then flows northeast until it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport...
. Between Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
and Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
there are only three bridges over the Merrimack River. Drivers wishing to access U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
from the east side of the river have three options (listed here from south to north):
- The Tyngsboro Bridge, which is out-of-the way and requires a winding trip down several back-country roads to find US 3.
- The Sagamore Bridge, which used to require drivers to travel through the highly congested South Nashua retail district along the D.W. HighwayDaniel Webster HighwayDaniel Webster Highway is the name for several sections of U.S. Route 3 in New Hampshire. The highway is named after 19th century statesman Daniel Webster, a New Hampshire native.-Extent:...
and Spit Brook Road to reach the US 3 freeway. - The Taylor Falls/Veterans Memorial Bridges (a.k.a. The Hudson Bridge), which puts traffic through the city streets of NashuaNashua, New Hampshire-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
, such as Hollis Street and Canal Street, streets which cross several train tracks, and which lack the capacity to handle the demand.
The Circumferential Highway would provide an additional river crossing between Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
and Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
, where one does not exist, and would expand the Sagamore Bridge crossing, bypassing the retail district and allowing better access to the US 3 freeway. The 30-year population boom in the region has only heightened the need for additional freeway access. A new Manchester Airport Access Road, scheduled to be completed in 2011, will provide this crossing of the Merrimack River a few miles south of I-293
Interstate 293
Interstate 293 is an long loop surrounding Manchester, New Hampshire, USA roughly shaped like two sides of a triangle. Completing the loop in the northeast is Interstate 93. The southern portion of the loop shares the road with NH 101 and passes near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and the...
.
Opposition to the highway
The project has not been without controversy. Political and environmental roadblocks have caused delays for years. The highway would be built mostly through the town of HudsonHudson, New Hampshire
Hudson is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 24,467 at the 2010 census.The primary settlement in town, where 7,336 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Hudson census-designated place and is located at the junctions of New Hampshire...
, as well as small portions of Litchfield
Litchfield, New Hampshire
- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 7,360 people, 2,357 households, and 2,031 families residing in the town. The population density was 487.5 people per square mile . There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 158.3 per square mile...
and Merrimack
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Merrimack is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 25,494 at the 2010 census, making it the eighth-largest municipality in New Hampshire....
. This would require the seizure
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
and destruction of many homes, and the filling in of several wetlands. A 1993 report by the EPA expressed an "intent to veto" the project as it was then planned, all but killing the full highway. Of particular concern is the impact on the Pennichuck Watershed, a series of ponds and creeks along the Nashua/Merrimack border. A second study has been ongoing since 1995, but no action has been made on it.
Additionally, despite the population boom, there may no longer be the need for the entirety of the road as planned. The part of the highway that has been built, including the Sagamore Bridge rebuild, has bypassed the worst traffic problem, and allows easy access to U.S. 3
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
as well as the D.W. Highway
Daniel Webster Highway
Daniel Webster Highway is the name for several sections of U.S. Route 3 in New Hampshire. The highway is named after 19th century statesman Daniel Webster, a New Hampshire native.-Extent:...
shopping district. Widening of Route 3A
New Hampshire Route 3A
New Hampshire Route 3A is a designation held by two separate state highways in New Hampshire. The two segments, although not directly connected, are linked by U.S. Route 3, from which they derive their route number.-Southern segment:...
in Hudson
Hudson, New Hampshire
Hudson is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 24,467 at the 2010 census.The primary settlement in town, where 7,336 people resided at the 2010 census, is defined as the Hudson census-designated place and is located at the junctions of New Hampshire...
has alleviated a lot of the traffic problem as well. Travellers also have alternate routes, especially for longer distance north–south travel. Drivers heading north of Manchester
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
or south of Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts
Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. According to the 2010 census, the city's population was 106,519. It is the fourth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County...
can take I-93
Interstate 93
Interstate 93 is an Interstate Highway in the New England section of the United States. Its southern terminus is in Canton, Massachusetts, in the Boston metropolitan area, at Interstate 95; its northern terminus is near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, at Interstate 91...
to the east, a relatively uncongested rural highway. Also, US 3
U.S. Route 3
U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
in Nashua
Nashua, New Hampshire
-Climate:-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 86,494 people, 35,044 households, and 21,876 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,719.9 people per square mile . There were 37,168 housing units at an average density of 1,202.8 per square mile...
has been extensively rebuilt and widened, improving access and capacity.
Proposed alternatives
Ten different alternatives have been proposed to the road. A brief description of some of them:- A "No Build" option, which leaves the entire situation at the current status quoStatus quoStatu quo, a commonly used form of the original Latin "statu quo" – literally "the state in which" – is a Latin term meaning the current or existing state of affairs. To maintain the status quo is to keep the things the way they presently are...
. - Alternatives to the northern crossing, planned in the vicinity of the Pennichuck Watershed, by choosing a less damaging crossing site. This could possibly include crossings that do not include connections to the Everett TurnpikeEverett TurnpikeThe Frederick E. Everett Turnpike, also called the Central New Hampshire Turnpike, is a toll road in New Hampshire, USA, running from the Massachusetts border at Nashua north to Concord...
. - Rather than a four lane freeway, the road could be built as a "super-two" highwayHighwayA highway is any public road. In American English, the term is common and almost always designates major roads. In British English, the term designates any road open to the public. Any interconnected set of highways can be variously referred to as a "highway system", a "highway network", or a...
, with at-grade crossings, a lower speed limitSpeed limitRoad speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
, and limited driveway access. - A southern crossing that may also include the removal of the Taylor Falls/Veterans Memorial bridges connecting Hudson and Nashua. This option may alleviate much of the traffic problems, but would also generate considerable social and economic stress.
Future considerations
Although recent road improvements have helped alleviate some of the traffic problems, other problems that the Circumferential Highway project is supposed to remedy still have not been addressed:- There is still no river crossing between the Taylor Falls/Veterans Memorial Bridges and I-293Interstate 293Interstate 293 is an long loop surrounding Manchester, New Hampshire, USA roughly shaped like two sides of a triangle. Completing the loop in the northeast is Interstate 93. The southern portion of the loop shares the road with NH 101 and passes near Manchester-Boston Regional Airport and the...
in ManchesterManchester, New HampshireManchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
. Residents of LitchfieldLitchfield, New Hampshire- Demographics :As of the census of 2000, there were 7,360 people, 2,357 households, and 2,031 families residing in the town. The population density was 487.5 people per square mile . There were 2,389 housing units at an average density of 158.3 per square mile...
or MerrimackMerrimack, New HampshireMerrimack is a town in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 25,494 at the 2010 census, making it the eighth-largest municipality in New Hampshire....
must travel 5-6 miles in either direction to cross the river. This has been cited as the major cause for keeping the project going despite years of historical setbacks. - Use of the Taylor Falls/Veterans Memorial Bridges still causes problems. Hollis Street can still be a huge traffic problem, especially with the train crossings so close to the bridge. The US 3U.S. Route 3U.S. Route 3 is a north–south United States highway that runs from its southern terminus in Cambridge, Massachusetts through New Hampshire to its terminus near Third Connecticut Lake at the Canadian border, where the road continues north as Quebec Route 257.In New Hampshire parts of US 3 are...
Exit 5 rebuild and expansion has helped access at the highway, but getting to and from the highway can still create problems. - Though eminent domainEminent domainEminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
has been cited as a possible concern, the towns of Hudson and Litchfield have specifically avoided zoningZoningZoning is a device of land use planning used by local governments in most developed countries. The word is derived from the practice of designating permitted uses of land based on mapped zones which separate one set of land uses from another...
for additional construction near the proposed path of the highway. Though no official right-of-wayEasementAn easement is a certain right to use the real property of another without possessing it.Easements are helpful for providing pathways across two or more pieces of property or allowing an individual to fish in a privately owned pond...
has been established, this has created a virtual right-of-way for most of the proposed course.
Related projects
Several other road improvement projects have been considered to complement the Circumferential Highway:- A proposed Broad Street Parkway along a realigned NH 130New Hampshire Route 130New Hampshire Route 130 is a long secondary east–west state highway in New Hampshire. The road runs between Nashua and Brookline....
has been closely tied to this project. However, delays in the Circumferential Highway should not negatively impact this project. - Amherst Street (NH 101A) widening is included in all proposals for the Circumferential Highway.
- The construction of the Manchester AirportManchester-Boston Regional AirportManchester-Boston Regional Airport , commonly referred to simply as "Manchester Airport," is a public airport located three miles south of the central business district of Manchester, New Hampshire on the county line of Hillsborough and Rockingham counties...
Access Road has also been included in all proposals for the Circumferential Highway. This expressway will be a spur off the Everett Turnpike and will provide a crossing of the Merrimack River a few miles south of I-293 in Manchester. It will include interchanges with US 3 and NH Route 3A. It began construction in 2007 and is scheduled for completion in late 2011.