State Doesn't Target Hazardous Local Bridge for Replacement

Local officials received an update about a long-awaited project Monday night, but unfortunately the news didn't involve confirmation that the work would get done sooner rather than later.

North Hampton's Atlantic Avenue bridge, which extends over the long-defunct railroad line, won't be added to the state's 10-year transportation plan, according to Town Administrator Paul Apple and State Sen. Nancy Stiles, R-Hampton.

That means the town will have to find another way to secure much-needed funds to remove a hill-like structure that police have said contributes to motor vehicle and pedestrian safety problems near North Hampton's emergency services buildings and grade school.

Apple said he and others "still hope" there will be a way to remove the bridge in the near future and to flatten Atlantic Avenue, while Stiles promised that she would continue to work toward that goal — even if it means a potentially fruitless effort on her part when the 10-year plan comes before her at the committee level.

"My expectations are not high that we'll be able to get it in," said Stiles.

The state didn't include the bridge in the 10-year plan because it isn't a red-listed bridge, according to Stiles. She said there are "so many" red-listed bridges in New Hampshire and "so many requests for money" that the railroad overpass didn't make it in because it has a lower priority in the eyes of the state.

There are encouraging signs, though.

Executive Councilor Chris Sununu reportedly also tried to get the bridge included in the 10-year plan, and Stiles said she was informed that the completion of the municipal complex and a subsequent traffic study in the area could evidentially, instead of anecdotally, reveal to the state that the bridge is causing flow problems.

"Once you get your complex over here, we'll figure out all the bad things we need to get done and we'll start chewing at it," said Stiles.

The municipal complex project is the largest proposal that will go before the town at the annual town meeting deliberative session at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at North Hampton School.

Saturday is also the date of Hampton's deliberative session. That session will take place at 8:30 a.m. in the Winnacunnet High School auditorium.