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Greenland bridge project advanced to MPO review; selectmen urge turnout for Nov. 13 vote
Summary
After a Transportation Advisory Committee vote, selectmen said Greenland’s proposed bridge project was forwarded to the MPO and urged residents to attend an upcoming regional meeting Nov. 13 to advocate for the town’s priority ahead of further votes.
Selectmen voted Nov. 4 to press ahead with a bridge project proposal that was forwarded to the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for further study and prioritization.
A member of the board (Speaker 1), who led Greenland’s application to the Rockingham Planning Commission Transportation Advisory Committee, told colleagues the committee’s staff recommendations initially omitted Greenland’s bridge. Speaker 1 said the committee ultimately agreed to send Greenland’s project to the MPO after concerns about the staff estimate’s accuracy and an appeal from the town. “The regional target allocation is $8,100,000 roughly,” Speaker 1 said, noting the town believes the actual cost of the bridge will be far higher.
Why it matters: the bridge is the only east‑west emergency egress for part of Greenland and, according to the board’s discussion, is critical to local emergency planning and regional traffic resilience. Speaker 1 estimated the project could cost roughly $20,000,000 if built to the specifications Greenland requested; the current regional allocation per year is far smaller than that figure.
Board members outlined next steps to keep the proposal moving. The MPO process requires additional rounds of review and two more votes after the MPO recommendation — one in Concord for detailed analysis and a final regional vote in the spring if the project advances. Speaker 1 asked residents and board members to attend the next advisory meeting and advocate for the project: “We’re gonna need to get more than more than 15 votes to win,” Speaker 1 said, urging selectmen and citizens to attend and speak on the town’s behalf.
Practical details and outreach: Selectmen set Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m. as the date to attend the regional meeting; attendees discussed logistics and outreach, including email distribution, contacting civic groups (the women’s club was suggested), and visible solidarity (green shirts or aprons) to demonstrate community support.
The board asked staff to circulate the full application and supporting materials so advocates can prepare talking points. The MPO step is scheduled later this month, with subsequent state review and possible final votes in the spring if Greenland’s application continues to advance.
Next step: residents and selectmen plan to attend the RPC/MPO meeting on Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., at the town hall library (the meeting location was clarified during the session).
