Your input is needed to make Route 1 safer for walkers and bicyclists!
This week NHDOT held a public meeting for the Portsmouth Lafayette Road project #29640 (between the Market Basket at Wilson and Ocean Road). This portion of Route 1 has almost no sidewalks and inconsistent shoulders. SABR has been represented on the Public Advisory Committee since 2020 and we feel hopeful about the “recommended alternative” which features a limited addition of driving lanes (one new lane southbound from Walmart) and new bike and walking paths along both sides, separated by a curb and grass buffer. There would also be a consistent five foot shoulder for any cyclists that prefer riding in the road. The project team is also recommending two roundabouts (which they differentiate from larger, higher speed traffic circles) to include bike and ped crosswalks with activated lights.
Your support for safer biking and walking is needed right now via the DOT survey! Open until August 7th: (https://tinyurl.com/USRoute1Survey)
We recommend a vote for Roadway Alternative Three (which adds fewer driving lanes) and Bike/Ped Facilities Option Two (which includes a sidepath and sidewalk above the curb to move cyclists away from 35mph+ traffic).
We will leave the choice between roundabouts and traffic signals up to you. The project website (https://www.dot.nh.gov/projects-plans-and-programs/project-center/portsmouth-29640)
and presentation
has information on the safety benefits of roundabouts.
Please fill out the survey today!
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