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Engineering study planned for Park Street Bridge; residents ask whether shoring for pedestrians or emergency access is viable
Summary
Town staff say Wright‑Pierce will document conditions and evaluate alternatives for the Park Street Bridge. Neighbors asked engineers to analyze options to shore up the bridge for pedestrian use or limited emergency access rather than full replacement; town staff will meet with NHDOT and SHPO as next steps.
Town staff and consultants are developing the scope for a Wright‑Pierce engineering study of the Park Street Bridge to document existing conditions, identify constraints and evaluate potential alternatives, including public safety, railroad safety, environmental and historical impacts.
"Ultimately, the goal of that study would be to document the existing conditions and constraints, and evaluate potential alternatives while looking at things like public safety, railroad safety, environmental factors, historical factors, utility, and right away impacts," said the staff member presenting the memo. The study scope noted coordination with stakeholders including NHDOT, the railroad and the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
During public comment, neighbors raised specific questions about shorter‑term options. Sally Ward asked the engineers to examine what it would take to "shore up" the bridge so it could remain as a pedestrian crossing and handle occasional emergency vehicles rather than full vehicular traffic. Mark Furlong and other neighborhood advocates stressed the bridge’s potential value for EMS routing from nearby towns if vehicular access can be preserved or restored.
Staff said they are pursuing clarification from DOT on process and funding, and are checking whether a qualifications‑based selection (QBS) process will be required for engineering services. A first follow‑up meeting with DOT is expected this month; staff proposed returning to the Select Board with an update by Sept. 14 if the DOT meeting occurs.
