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Derry Exit 4A Project Update

If you’ve been following the Derry Exit 4A Project saga, which affects the Derry Rail Trail, here’s the latest update. For more background information, see this page on the BWANH website.

Bike-ped, rail trail, climate, transportation, and community advocates were strongly encouraged to participate in the NH Department of Transportation’s Thursday August 4th Public Meeting for the new Exit 4A interchange being constructed in Derry as part of the I-93 widening project.

Advocates were urged to attend wearing “safety yellow” to show support for restoring the original “Tunnel Plan” along the existing Derry Rail Trail that provides a safe, separated direct route under the new interchange and to discourage the construction of an alternative design proposed by NHDOT known as the “spaghetti trail.” Bicyclists, pedestrians, community leaders, and transportation experts believe the new design is unsafe and were prepared to share their serious concerns about the trail to NHDOT at the public meeting.

However, on the morning of the meeting day, the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) released an announcement stating: “Due to the hot weather the NHDOT is postponing the I-93 Exit 4A Derry-Londonderry 13065B public informational meeting scheduled for tonight, August 4. We apologize for any inconvenience! The meeting will be rescheduled and held in the near future.”

According to the NH DOT project website, the meeting has been rescheduled to September 22, 6:00 pm at the Derry West Running Brook School. Here is a link to the official project website for directions and details from DOT. https://www.i93exit4a.com/. Many rail trail advocates from around the state plan to attend wearing hi-viz “safety yellow” to make a statement. Handouts that highlight the “spaghetti trail” issues will be available. The meeting will be recorded for public viewing, and public comments will be accepted by NHDOT for ten days.

NHDOT finally honored the rail trail advocates’ request (made in February 2022) for a meeting that happened on August 23. Advocates reviewed the 26-page presentation and asked many questions. No minds were changed but many NHDOT answers were basically “we didn’t think of that.” Assistant Commissioner Bill Cass chaired the meeting and in closing stated a loud public outcry on September 22 could have an impact on their current plans. Note that approvals on this project by FHWA and the US Army Corp of Engineers are mandatory.  However, at this date, these agencies have not even seen the plans.

As we have encouraged before, there is still time, and it is very important for the general public (you!) to provide feedback via phone or email to project officials regarding this project. More details and contact info is provided here on the BWANH web page.

Many advocacy organizations are closely following this project (BWA, NHRTC, Derry Rail Trail Alliance, Granite State Rail Trail, Manchester Moves, and more).  The BWANH Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/BWANH) is a great resource for project updates and public meetings.

Bike-Walk Alliance of NH

2 Whitney Rd., Suite 11
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-410-5848 | email: info@bwanh.org