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Regional planners prioritize North Main Street as top 10-year plan project
Summary
The Lakes Regional Planning Commission recommended North Main Street (Route 3) as its primary project for the next cycle; board members said the proposal includes straightening and regrading the road to improve multimodal access and that state matching funds and timings remain to be negotiated.
Representatives and board members updated the Plymouth Planning Board on a recommendation from the Lakes Regional Planning Commission (LRPC) to move North Main Street (Route 3) forward as the town’s primary 10-year plan project.
John reported that LRPC’s executive board and commissioners voted to advance the North Main Street project as their top candidate, with the town positioned in the regional program as a top project once the neighboring Laconia work completes. John said the plan would “redo[] regrading, straightening out the road north on Main Street…and have more room for multimodal transportation like bicycles and a sidewalk going all the way down across the bridge.” He added that phase two would continue pedestrian improvements past the Tenney Mountain Highway interchange toward Fairgrounds Road.
Staff and board members discussed funding and timing. John told the board that while matching funds are sometimes expected, towns outside urban-compact classifications can sometimes receive grants without a local match; he advised the town that if the project is accepted into the 10-year plan, the town will have years to negotiate matching requirements with the state Department of Transportation.
Board members raised safety and pedestrian concerns for segments where people currently walk along or near the railroad embankment and tracks. One member said he has observed “a lot of people walking those train tracks and it’s definitely not optimal,” and supported improved sidewalks and crossings.
John also noted state budget discussions that could affect regional planning funding; staff flagged a proposed state budget cut that would eliminate state funding for regional planning commissions as a point to watch. The Planning Board agreed to support regional advocacy to advance the North Main Street project through GACIT/GASSET and the Executive Council review processes.
