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 said the team recommends a standard 10.5‑foot multi‑use path in most of the corridor (described as 5 feet for bikes and 5 feet for pedestrians where the design separates those functions). Through the residential section the project would narrow the east‑side path to about 8–8.5 feet “so you’d have bikes and pedestrians being able to use it” but “it would be a little narrower,” the consultant said. He said the narrower east‑side path was supported by the project’s public advisory committee.

McNamara also reiterated the design includes roundabouts at White Cedar Boulevard and Springbrook Circle, a new pedestrian crossing near Campus Drive with a HAWK (high‑intensity activated crosswalk) signal, and possible removal of an anticipated right‑turn lane at Atlantic Orthopedic depending on actual use. He said the team plans to pursue a more formal public hearing in the fall to advance a necessity finding and move into final design; construction is still several years away.

Councilors repeatedly pressed project staff on roadway widening, pedestrian safety, landscaping and whether residential property would be taken. Councilor Cook asked if the project widens pavement and raised a broader concern that wider roads can increase vehicle speeds in residential areas. McNamara replied the northern portion would remain a three‑lane section as today and said lanes would generally be slightly narrower than existing lanes; “the capacity of the road will not change.”

Councilor Denton asked directly if the residential properties from Hoover to Wilson would be taken; McNamara answered, “Correct. … we’re able to put the 8 and a half foot panel, the utility and signage panel that goes behind it, that all fits within the right of way once we narrow that multi use path down,” meaning the design as presented avoids permanent property takes in that stretch.

Residents spoke during the public comment portion after the presentation. Tyler Garzo, who said he bikes the corridor weekly, told the council he believed some shoulders and lane‑width choices would increase speeds and criticized the project for emphasizing vehicle throughput rather than compliance with the city’s Complete Streets guidance and Climate Action Plan. Matt Glenn, president of Seacoast Area Bicycle Riders and a long‑time member of the project’s public advisory committee, thanked the team for listening and said the design “has made the plan better” and recommended the council support the preferred alternative; he said roundabouts and the new crossings offer pedestrian improvements.

Several residents who live directly on Lafayette Road — including Marsha Hyland and Kathy Hersey — said they appreciated efforts to move the roadway away from houses and urged additional shift to the west if feasible; Hersey said she did not favor roundabouts because they can make it harder to turn left from driveways. Marsha Hyland also asked the city to honor an earlier letter she described as stating residents’ land would not be taken.

McNamara warned that the project still requires a substantial right‑of‑way phase and said there are “something like 80 properties potentially on here that that would have some level of impact. A lot of it’s temporary, some of it’s permanent,” and that the team is looking out “4 or 5 years” before construction, dependent on permitting, right‑of‑way work and funding.

Councilors and residents asked staff to continue evaluating whether the westward shift could be extended farther north, whether landscaping or street trees could help calm traffic, and to confirm where the multi‑use path and sidewalks would connect to adjacent developments. McNamara said the team will continue coordination with city staff, the public advisory committee, and stakeholders as plans are finalized for public hearing.

The council took no formal action on the presentation; staff asked councilors to provide input to inform the fall public hearing and final design.

Ending: City staff and the consultant left the meeting and were asked to remain for public comment so they could hear additional questions; the city manager said the presentation did not require immediate council action and the DOT team will return with the public‑hearing packet in coming months.