Plymouth board signals support for roundabout after public hearing on Highland Street project

Plymouth Select Board members signaled consensus to pursue a roundabout at the Highland Street intersection with Old Ward Bridge Road after a public hearing and presentation by HB Engineering on a federally funded corridor project intended to rebuild sidewalks, repair drainage and improve safety near the schools.

The project team, led by Jordan Pike of HB Engineering, described sidewalks that are narrow and deteriorating, drainage problems and a failing culvert with voids beneath the embankment. The culvert repair and headwall replacement were added to the project scope after recent inspections; engineers said the repair can be fit within the project budget and can be performed under the town’s maintenance permit, which avoids a separate wetland permitting process for that element.

Pike said the town advanced a roundabout as the preferred intersection alternative after earlier public outreach, but detailed design showed the roundabout would require a small private take and removal of several trees at 150 Highland Street. A cultural‑resource review found the parcel and tree row to be historically sensitive; the property owner objected to impacts, and the town declined to pursue eminent domain after multiple negotiations.

As a result, engineers developed a ‘realignment’ alternative that reduces impacts on the historically sensitive parcel but offers fewer long‑term traffic and speed‑calming benefits. Pike told the board the full project is estimated at roughly $2.0–$2.2 million, with the roundabout accounting for about $1.2 million and the rest covering sidewalks, roadway improvements and inspection; the realignment alternative reduces intersection costs by about $500,000. Pike also warned that returning to the roundabout alternative and completing required historic‑resource mitigation/acquisition could affect federal funding timelines and may require DOT coordination to move the obligation into the next fiscal year.

During public comment, neighbors, property owners and county officials raised concerns about property impacts, tree removal, sight lines, morning sun glare near the square and the ability of alternative routes such as Merryill Street to handle diverted traffic. Several commenters, including parents and local residents, said a roundabout would calm vehicle speeds and improve pedestrian safety, particularly during school drop‑off and pick‑up times.

Board discussion weighed the tradeoffs between the roundabout’s safety and traffic‑calming benefits and the acquisition/mitigation costs and schedule risk. After hearing from HB Engineering and residents, the board indicated it favors the roundabout as the long‑term solution while acknowledging additional coordination is necessary with the affected property owners, DOT and the town’s cultural resources work. Staff were directed to continue coordination, pursue required mitigation steps and report back with acquisition options, revised schedules and any impacts to federal funding obligations.

Next steps include further engagement with property owners affected by the roundabout footprint, refinement of mitigation measures for the historically sensitive property, confirmation of the culvert repair schedule, and continued coordination with NHDOT on fiscal-year timing and federal inspection requirements. Construction is tentatively scheduled for 2027, though engineers said additional mitigation work could shift that timeline.

Quote: “When we refined the roundabout design, it became clear it would impact a handful of trees and a portion of the parcel at 150 Highland, which a state reviewer identified as historically significant,” HB Engineering’s Jordan Pike said. “We tried to negotiate mitigations, but the owner declined impacts; that’s why we developed the realignment option and are returning to the board for direction.”

The select board closed the public hearing after public comment and gave staff direction to pursue the roundabout path while continuing necessary mitigation and schedule coordination with DOT and affected property owners.