KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) The debate over how traffic will move through Central Square continued Thursday night as Keene City Council members considered whether to change the approved design for the north side of the square, ultimately voting to retain the planned single-lane configuration.

The discussion was among the central issues during the Council’s approximately two-hour meeting, with members weighing concerns about traffic congestion, vehicle access and pedestrian safety against the city’s previously approved plans for the Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project.

The Council considered an alternative that would provide two 11-foot-wide lanes across the north end of the square rather than the single lane currently included in the design. Under the existing plan, motorists will travel through the intersection in one lane before merging and proceeding toward Court Street, turning onto West Street or continuing down Main Street.

Councilor Randy Filiault had requested that the configuration be reviewed, and the issue had already received considerable attention during an October meeting of the Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee. That committee voted 4–1 to recommend keeping the one-lane design.

Thursday’s discussion brought the issue before the full Council, where members again heard competing arguments about how the configuration could affect downtown traffic once construction is complete.

Supporters of restoring two lanes expressed concerns about potential bottlenecks, traffic backups and the merging motorists would be required to navigate under the single-lane arrangement. They also pointed to feedback from residents and concerns about maintaining convenient access to downtown businesses.

Those favoring the existing design emphasized pedestrian and bicycle safety, the engineering considerations behind the original configuration and the broader goals of the downtown project. They argued that reducing the number of vehicle lanes through the intersection would help create a more manageable environment for pedestrians and other users of the downtown streetscape.

The discussion also followed questions raised during the committee’s October review about the limited distance available for vehicles approaching Central Square from different directions to position themselves before proceeding through the intersection.

Public Works Director Don Lussier previously explained that the design accounts for the various movements motorists must make around the square, including the need to merge near a proposed raised crosswalk. With less than 100 feet available in some locations, the single-file arrangement was presented as a way to organize traffic before vehicles separate toward their respective destinations.

The possibility of making adjustments after the project is completed has also been raised by city officials. Mayor Jay Kahn, who has expressed support for a two-lane configuration, said during a Monday appearance on WKBK’s Open Mic program that retaining the current design would not necessarily prevent the city from revisiting the arrangement in the future.

Lussier has also previously indicated that pavement markings could be used to modify traffic patterns if the initial configuration does not function as intended.

After considering the competing proposals Thursday, the Council rejected an amendment that would have restored two lanes. Councilors then approved the committee’s recommendation to retain the single-lane configuration by an 11–3 vote.

The decision leaves the existing design in place as the city continues work on its multiyear Downtown Infrastructure Improvement Project, which includes extensive upgrades to aging water, sewer and drainage infrastructure, along with roadway and streetscape improvements.

Other Business

Although Central Square traffic was the meeting’s primary point of discussion, councilors also addressed several other matters and community announcements.

The Council heard a community recognition honoring Keene State College’s men’s and women’s ice hockey programs and a proclamation recognizing veterans ahead of Veterans Day.

The upcoming opening of the 100 Nights Shelter was also announced. The warming shelter is scheduled to open December 7 and operate for four months. Volunteer training sessions are planned for November 9 and November 16 at 5:30 p.m. at the United Church of Christ.

Community members interested in helping with the shelter are encouraged to attend.

Keene’s Veterans Day ceremony will take place November 11 at 11 a.m. at the Recreation Center at Fuller Field. City Hall will be closed that day, as well as November 26 and 27 for Thanksgiving.

The Council also reviewed upcoming committee meeting dates. The Planning, Licenses and Development Committee will meet November 12 at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Finance, Operations and Personnel Committee at 7 p.m.

The Municipal Services, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee will next meet November 25 at 5:30 p.m., with Finance, Operations and Personnel scheduled to follow at 7 p.m.

Thursday’s vote keeps the Central Square project moving forward with its currently approved traffic design, although city officials have previously indicated that adjustments could be considered if conditions warrant once the new configuration is in place.