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Merrimack delegation and residents press for sound barriers on F.E. Everett Turnpike as DOT outlines federal criteria
Summary
Supporters of HB 578 told the House Public Works Committee that neighborhoods along the F.E. Everett Turnpike in Merrimack face elevated noise from recent Turnpike widening and urged the committee to allow sound barriers beyond standard NHDOT criteria; NHDOT described its noise-analysis process, criteria and estimated costs for barriers.
Representative Bill Boyd’s written testimony, read by Representative Maureen Mooney, asked the committee to support House Bill 578 to authorize sound barriers along the F.E. Everett Turnpike through Merrimack, where proponents say recent Turnpike widening has exposed 17 neighborhoods and four condominium complexes to elevated noise. “House Bill 5 78 seeks to erect sound barriers along the northbound and southbound corridors of the F. E. Everett Turnpike,” Mooney read from Boyd’s prepared text.
Residents and local officials told the committee the noise has already degraded quality of life. Senator Tim McGough said residents are experiencing “deafening” noise levels in backyards and asked the committee for flexibility from strict density criteria used in NHDOT’s noise policy. Representative Nancy Murphy, a Merrimack representative and co-sponsor, said the committee would be voting on policy and not the fiscal note but urged…
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