New Hampshire Infrastructure Groups Urge Veto Override On 10-Year Transportation Plan

InDepth NH

JOINT STATEMENT FROM, ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF NH, NH GOOD ROADS ASSOCIATION, AMERICAN COUNCIL OF ENGINEERING COMPANIES OF NH, AND AGGREGATE MANUFACTURERS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE URGING AN OVERRIDE OF THE VETO OF HB 2026

CONCORD, NH – The Associated General Contractors of NH, NH Good Roads Association, the American Council of Engineering Companies of NH, and the Aggregate Manufacturers of New Hampshire today issued the following joint statement urging members of the New Hampshire General Court to override the veto of House Bill 2026, the State’s Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan for 2027-2036.

As organizations representing the contractors, engineers, aggregate manufacturers, material suppliers, and transportation advocates who plan, design, build, and maintain New Hampshire’s transportation system, we urge lawmakers to override the veto of HB 2026.

The Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan is much more than a list of projects. It is New Hampshire’s roadmap for investing in the roads, bridges, and transportation infrastructure that support economic growth, connect communities, and ensure the safe movement of people and goods throughout the Granite State.

HB 2026 reflects years of planning, public engagement, engineering analysis, and collaboration among state agencies, regional planning commissions, municipal leaders, legislators, and industry stakeholders. Allowing this veto to stand would create uncertainty for critical infrastructure investments and delay projects that are vital to New Hampshire’s future prosperity and competitiveness.

The consequences of failing to enact the Ten-Year Plan are significant:

• Delaying Critical Safety and Mobility Improvements: HB 2026 advances essential investments in bridge rehabilitation and replacement, roadway safety upgrades, and congestion relief projects across New Hampshire. Major initiatives such as the Manchester 6 and Manchester 7 corridor improvements and the Bow-Concord I-93 improvements are designed to enhance safety, reduce traffic delays, improve freight movement, and strengthen regional economic activity. Delaying these projects only increases future costs and postpones benefits for residents, businesses, and visitors.

• Creating Uncertainty for New Hampshire Employers and Workers: Engineering firms, construction companies, suppliers, and municipalities rely on the predictable project pipeline established through the Ten-Year Plan to make investments, retain skilled workers, and plan for future growth. Uncertainty surrounding project delivery affects businesses throughout the transportation and construction sectors and threatens the stability of high-quality jobs across the state.

• Protecting Access to Federal Transportation Investment: A fully authorized Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan provides the framework needed to effectively program and deliver transportation projects supported by federal funding. Maintaining a clear, long-term plan helps ensure New Hampshire remains well-positioned to maximize available federal transportation investments and advance critical infrastructure projects on schedule.

• Promoting Fiscal Responsibility Through Dedicated Transportation Revenue: The transportation investments included in HB 2026 are supported through dedicated transportation revenues and turnpike funds, helping ensure that users of the transportation system contribute to its upkeep while reducing pressure on local property taxpayers.

At a time when construction costs continue to rise, delaying planned transportation investments will only make future improvements more expensive. The Ten-Year Plan provides the certainty needed for state and local

officials, employers, and infrastructure partners to plan responsibly and deliver projects efficiently and cost-effectively.

For decades, New Hampshire’s Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan has been a model of pragmatic, bipartisan decision-making. HB 2026 was developed through that established process and reflects extensive review and input from communities across all regions of the state.

We respectfully urge members of the New Hampshire House and Senate to protect New Hampshire’s transportation future, support continued economic growth, preserve access to critical transportation investments, and keep the Granite State moving forward by overriding the veto of HB 2026.

ORGANIZATION CONTACT INFORMATION

Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire (AGC-NH)

• Phone: (603) 225-2701 (Alex Koutroubas)

NH Good Roads Association

• Phone: (603) 224-1823 (Brenda Clemmons)

American Council of Engineering Companies of New Hampshire (ACEC-NH)

• Phone: (603) 568-9357 (Jessica Eskeland)

Aggregate Manufacturers of New Hampshire

• Phone: (603) 228-1181 (Ari Pollack)

This story was originally published by InDepth NH.