The Loudon Road bridge spans from the end of Fort Eddy Road across the Merrimack River toward the Everett Arena. (Photo by Geoff Forester, Concord Monitor)
Loudon Road bridge in Concord up for repair as federal funding gets shaky
Nearly 25,000 cars cross the Loudon Road bridge on an average day and is the main artery across the Merrimack River connecting downtown and the Heights.
Concord has plans to completely replace the bridge near Fort Eddy Road as early as next year using mostly federal funds
Per the city’s capital plans, federal money through the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law would cover just shy of 80% of the project’s $23 million anticipated price tag. Money from the state that Concord has held in a “bridge reserve would also be used, leaving about a $2.6 million tab for city taxpayers. As long as the funding is still in place, the bridge reconstruction would begin in the next year if approved by city councilors as part of the upcoming budget.
Leaders on the project, including both city staff and contractors, will hold a public information meeting on the project Thursday night at the City Wide Community Center. The city hasn’t yet published information about the timeline and duration of traffic adjustments for the project.
The bridge work plays a vital component in preparation for the state’s major interstate plans. Before Exit 15 and the Interstate 393 interchange can be renovated, the new bridge at Loudon Road needs to be ready for rerouted traffic.
Federal funding is the lifeblood of this project.
President Donald Trump ordered a freeze on money through the infrastructure law in his first days in office, then walked it back.
City Manager Tom Aspell said earlier this month that he had received no indication that the nearly $18.5 million awarded to the city for this project would be held up.
These kinds of federal grants, though, operate on a reimbursement system: Given rapid changes in federal grant programs through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, projects like this one entail more risk than they did a year ago.
“We won’t move ahead unless the reimbursement is guaranteed,” Aspell said.
At the same time, the bridge remains a priority. Built in 1966 and modified 30 years later, it’s been redlisted by the state since 2015 has already been pushed off by the city for a few years.
The meeting Thursday will start at 6 p.m. and include a presentation of design alternatives. — Catherine McLaughlin, Concord Monitor
Peterborough Planning Board gives initial OK to six-lot subdivision
The Peterborough Planning Board accepted an initial application for a six-lot subdivision at 477 East Mountain Road during Monday night’s meeting.
The proposed subdivision on what was formerly the McLaren property would create five housing lots across 16.3 acres with frontage on East Mountain Road. The property has 2,200 feet of frontage on East Mountain Road, and lies within the Rural District and the wetlands overlay protection zone. A sixth lot includes nearly 70 acres that are in permanent conservation easement.
Dan Barowski of Fieldstone Land Consultants, representing Grand View Homes, LLC, said that while the project is classified as a major subdivision because it includes six lots, three of the lots already have buildings on them and the sixth lot will remain green space.
“The property has a main house, a barn and a carriage house already, and each of these will be a separate lot,” Barowski said. “This development is considered ‘major,’ but it will have minimal impact to the neighborhood.”
Planning Board member Lisa Stone noted that “these are all conforming lots.”
Town Planner Danica Melone said her department had received staff reports on the property and that the Peterborough Fire Department had determined there is enough water that a hydrant will not be required. The DPW has requested a plan indicating the elevations on the lot, as it contains a steep slope on the western edge.
Each lot will have a separate driveway. according to the initial design.
Barowski explained that his client had requested a waiver for the conceptual review requirements on the sixth lot, as the land is in permanent conservation easement.
“We did not do a complete survey of the remaining 69 acres of conservation land. It is perpetually not developable; we did not venture into conservation land,” Barowski said.
Planning Board member Lisa Stone made a motion to grant waivers on the conceptual review requirements for the lot. The board unanimously passed the motion.
In answer to a question from Planning Board member Stephanie Hurley about wetlands, Melone said she did not believe there are enough wetlands across the five building lots to require a change in lot size.
“I will confirm with the Conservation Committee that the property conforms to updated wetlands requirements,” she said.
Barowski said “the lots are not going to change.”
Conditions for final approval of the design include a stormwater plan and indication of the building envelopes in relation to the wetland buffer. The property includes an artificial pond which is not classified as a wetland. — Jesseca Timmons, Monadnock Ledger-Transcript
Condo prices at The Maris in Portsmouth’s North End: $3 million-plus for 3 bedrooms
Work is under way on a major mixed-use development at 53 Green St., which will feature 45 market-rate residential condos and 2,600 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor.
The project is named The Maris. It is billed as a luxury condominium development, a joint venture between Cathartes and its partner, Chinburg Builders Inc. It is located next to Portsmouth’s North Mill Pond in the city’s rapidly developing North End.
The new development will feature a variety of amenities, including on-site concierge service.
Demolition of the former building on site is complete and work on the new downtown development continued Tuesday.
“We are excited to introduce The Maris, a mixed-use community inspired by Portsmouth’s deep cultural history,” said Jackie Huber, Cathartes’ director of asset management, in a prepared statement. “With a number of unique amenities, stunning water views and the downtown location, this will be a welcome destination for people looking to live in vibrant Portsmouth.”
The Maris, which translates from Latin to “of the sea,” offers views of the adjacent North Mill Pond, as well as the nearby Piscataqua River.
Read the full story at Portsmouth Herald. — Jeff McMenemy, Portsmouth Herald
Developer of Troy Mills property cited with retail theft
Bellows Falls police said in a news release Thursday evening that Christopher Farris, 51, of Troy, has been cited with retail theft for allegedly removing “multiple items” from J&H Hardware on Jan. 17. Charging documents were not immediately available from Windham County Superior Court, and Bellows Falls police said Friday they were not able to provide additional information about the alleged theft until Farris is arraigned.
Farris, who goes by Eric, his middle name, bought part of the former Troy Mills property in 2021 and received about $1 million in state grants to develop it into affordable housing. The project has since stalled over a disagreement about water and sewer fees and capacity that prompted Farris to sue the town in a pending case in Cheshire County Superior Court.
Farris ran unsuccessfully for three town positions — planning board, water and sewer commission and treasurer — in Tuesday’s elections.
He did not respond immediately to a text or pick up a phone call from a reporter Friday morning, and his voicemail box was full.
Farris is set to appear for arraignment in Windham County Superior Court on March 25. — Abigail Ham, Keene Sentinel
