Little Bay Bridge - Future Plans

Future Plans

The Little Bay Bridge and its access roads on the Dover and Newington banks are prone to traffic congestion during morning and afternoon rush hours. The New Hampshire DOT is planning a comprehensive improvement of the area.

Both bridges are under scrutiny, with four options being considered. Three call for expansion of the Little Bay Bridge to six or eight lanes and restoration of the General Sullivan as both a pedestrian/bicycle way and alternative for buses and overflow traffic. The fourth would replace all three spans with an eight lane bridge.

The eventual fate of the General Sullivan is more controversial than that of the Little Bay Bridge. The Coast Guard regards it as a navigation hazard and favors its removal. Other opponents cite rehabilitation costing between $8 and $11 million more than razing. Bridge proponents cite its eligibility for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.