Circumferential Highway (Nashua) - Future Considerations

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 the Manchester Airport Access Road bridge in Manchester. Residents of Litchfield or Merrimack must travel 5 to 6 miles (8.0 to 9.7 km) 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 3 Exit 5 rebuild and expansion has helped access at the highway, but getting to and from the highway can still create problems.
• Though eminent domain has been cited as a possible concern, the towns of Hudson and Litchfield have specifically avoided zoning for additional construction near the proposed path of the highway. Though no official right-of-way has been established, this has created a virtual right-of-way for most of the proposed course.