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KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Residents, property owners and commuters will have an opportunity later this month to weigh in on a major state transportation project aimed at improving safety and infrastructure along a section of NH Route 101 and Swanzey Factory Road.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has scheduled a public hearing for Thursday, May 28, to review preliminary plans that would overhaul the intersection of NH 101 and Swanzey Factory Road while replacing an aging bridge over the Branch River.
According to the department, the project is being developed to address ongoing maintenance issues along the corridor, including deteriorating pavement conditions, drainage concerns and limited sight distances for motorists. State officials also identified the existing bridge carrying NH 101 over the Branch River as structurally deficient and included on New Hampshire’s list of bridges requiring significant attention.
Current plans call for relocating the Swanzey Factory Road intersection approximately 300 feet east of its present location and constructing a roundabout to improve traffic flow and safety. The proposal also includes replacing the bridge spanning the Branch River and fully reconstructing the NH 101 roadway through the project area, including removal of the existing concrete pavement slab.
The hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at Heberton Hall, 60 Winter St. in Keene. Project plans will be available for public review beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Keene Public Library Annex located within the hall.
In addition to gathering public feedback, the hearing will help determine whether the state should proceed with acquiring any necessary rights-of-way needed for construction. Landowners, municipal officials and members of the public are invited to attend and provide comments. The hearing will be audio recorded for the official project record.
Project maps, environmental documents and related studies are available for public inspection at NHDOT headquarters in Concord by appointment.
Those unable to attend the hearing may submit written comments through June 8 for inclusion in the official record. Comments can be mailed to the NHDOT Bureau of Project Development or emailed to Bureau50@dot.nh.gov.
State transportation officials say all comments received during the public review process will be considered as the project moves through final design and permitting stages.