DOT presents updated design for US Route 1 (Lafayette Road); councilors, residents press on right-of-way, pedestrian safety and trees

The New Hampshire Department of Transportation and engineering consultant Stantec presented refined plans for the US Route 1 (Lafayette Road) corridor to Portsmouth City Council, describing a roughly 1.7‑mile project with targeted intersection improvements, roundabouts and new pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

DOT and Stantec described the plan and sought city input on design features and next steps ahead of a planned fall public hearing. Dave McNamara of Stantec said the team had identified a preferred alternative that keeps much of the corridor within the existing right of way while adding pedestrian crossings, two roundabouts and a separated multi‑use path in many locations.

The project matters locally because it covers the southern limits at the Ocean Road/Longmeadow Road intersection, proceeds about 1.7 miles north to Wilson Road, and affects commercial areas (Walmart, Market Basket) and residential properties along Lafayette Road.

McNamara said a key recent change is a westward shift of Route 1 by approximately six feet through the segment between Hoover and McKinley, “which has pulled that whole infrastructure up and away from the residential properties along the easterly side of Route 1.” He added the move was intended so “all of the facilities [can] be built within the existing right of way,” and to reduce permanent encroachment on adjacent homes.

On multi‑use path width, McNamara…