Committee advances bill to place mile markers on Kancamagus Highway

A House Finance subcommittee on Monday voted to advance HB 713, a bill that would require mile markers along a roughly 32-mile stretch of Route 112, commonly known as the Kancamagus Highway.

Supporters said the route between Lincoln and Conway is isolated, has spotty cell and radio coverage and poses a public-safety challenge when visitors or residents report crashes or medical emergencies without a precise location. "There's a 32 mile stretch of road between Lincoln and Conway with no service. There's virtually no cell or emergency radio service, through much of its length," Representative William (Stringham) told the panel. "What typically happens is a good samaritan wanders by and says I'll call and get some help for you and they may have traveled 5 or more miles past 3 campgrounds...by the time they get down to where they can make a call, the 911 or the police hear something like it's by the hiking trail not knowing whether it's the Osceola, Hancock, Flume, or Moosilauke that they were at."

Committee members and the bill sponsor discussed details the Department of Transportation (DOT) will need to resolve, including the desired spacing of markers and how to avoid placing signs where they would block driveways or trailheads. "There's somewhat of a difference in how frequently you need mile markers here...somebody just needs to, you know, travel 800 feet and see there's another sign," Stringham said, arguing the statutory language should give DOT flexibility on spacing and design.

Stringham told the committee DOT considers a range of spacing from two-tenths of a mile up to one mile and that the department and sponsor plan to work out details before final action. Witnesses and committee members said the project can be completed using non-general funds. Representative Papovich moved that the committee find the bill "Ought to Pass" and the motion was advanced out of the subcommittee.

The sponsor and DOT staff said they expect some minor, friendly amendments at full finance to make the language flexible for local input, materials and design. The bill was advanced with the understanding DOT and the sponsor will coordinate language before the measure moves to the full finance committee.

Votes at a glance: the subcommittee approved advancing HB 713 (vote recorded as "motion passed" in the transcript).