November Concord City Council Update

Hi Folks,

This is a short update from our November City Council meeting.

Recently the City Council revisited our vote on the Loudon Road project to reduce the number of lanes from four to two with a center turning lane. The vote last month was to keep four lanes. This months vote was to appropriate the funds to repave Loudon Road as a four lane road. The vote was 10 - 5 in favor of going ahead with the paving. I believe my reasons for voting against the paving project were different then the other four councilors who voted against the funding.

My understanding is the other four councilors voted against the paving to have the road reconfigured to two travel lanes, as recommended by city staff. They hoped by not approving the funding for paving that there could be another discussion on reducing the travel lanes from four to two.

My vote against the funding for repaving focused on my concern that no matter what we do to Loudon Road (2,3 or 4 lanes) that without a center divider, signal controlled intersections for left hand turns, the ability to reverse direction and consolidating curb cuts, that the road can not be safer or function better than it does today.

Secondly I was frustrated that my repeated requests to see plans for what would need to be done to have a divided roadway were never provided, even though I was informed that there were potentially a number of options that may have been appropriate. While a divided roadway will be more expensive than either the city’s recommendations or the four lane repaving project, it appears that both of these options are only temporary and we will need to develop a longer term solution.

It was important for me to understand what would be required to move forward with a divided roadway. The property acquisitions, curb cut consolidations, improved intersections, etc. and the anticipated costs and timeline for this type of project. I wanted this information before committing your tax dollars to a project that I wasn’t convinced would meet the safety or traffic concerns of those who use this road. There is no guarantee that the request for information I made would be any more effective than any of the other recommendations. However, I believe my request would have provided the Council and the community with a much better understanding of what needs to be done to accomplish all the concerns of those that live, work and own businesses on the Heights; safety, traffic flow that enhances business success and a sense of community.

As always please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any concerns or questions. I can be contacted at aherschlag@concordnh.gov allan4council@gmail.com or 224-6086.