Stokes Road Bridge project, 11/2/2026

This video is a recording of a Londonderry Town Council public hearing regarding the Stokes Road Bridge Project .

Here is a quick summary of what is covered in the video:

Funding & Reallocation Controversy: Public Works leadership (Director Dave Wally and Deputy Director James Denis) discuss a proposal to shift allocated state bridge funds from the deteriorating Stokes Road Bridge over to the Hall Road Bridge while state DOT intersection realignment plans (Route 28 / Route 128) are evaluated. Resident & Senate Concerns: NH State Senator Sharon Carson and local resident Robert Demurs voice strong objections, highlighting that the Stokes Road Bridge is in worse shape, serves as a vital access point for the neighborhood, and should not be neglected without resident input. Public Safety Concerns: Fire Prevention Division Chief Brian Johnson flags major safety risks with closing the bridge or reducing access to a single-lane cul-de-sac, pointing out that emergency vehicles could be blocked if an incident occurs on the narrow road. Council Direction: The Town Council agrees to hold off on a final decision, requesting further analysis on alternative solutions (such as culverts vs. full bridge replacement) and additional coordination between DPW, NHDOT, and neighborhood residents. During the public hearing, several key safety risks were raised regarding the potential closure or removal of the Stokes Road Bridge:

1. Emergency Vehicle Bottlenecks & Trapped Residents Single-Point Bottleneck: Stokes Road is a narrow, single-lane road. Closing the bridge turns the neighborhood into a single-access dead end. Road Blockage by Fire Apparatus: Fire Prevention Division Chief Brian Johnson pointed out that a standard 10-foot-wide fire truck will completely block the road if parked to fight a fire at one of the first homes on the street. Blocked Emergency Response: If an accident occurs at the main intersection or a fire blocks the front of the road, emergency crews would have zero access to respond to a simultaneous medical emergency or secondary incident further down the street. Fire Code Violations: Under NFPA standards, a single-access road requires a 24-foot-wide, two-lane roadway (12 feet per lane). Expanding Stokes Road to 24 feet is practically impossible due to nearby homes, trees, and wetlands. 2. Structural Collapse & Heavy Vehicle Hazards Active Failing Condition: The bridge is on the state “red list” and has been deteriorating for over 30 years. Inspections show exposed rebar underneath, and residents noted a visible crack in the concrete deck that has widened to 1–2 inches. Exceeded Weight Limits: The bridge is strictly weight-rated at 3 tons. Standard fire trucks, delivery trucks, trash trucks, and oil tankers far exceed this limit. If a heavy vehicle causes the bridge to cave in, access would be abruptly severed. 3. Evacuation & Water Supply Vulnerabilities No Evacuation Route: If a forest fire or major hazard blocks the main entrance, eliminating the bridge leaves residents with no secondary vehicular or walking escape route. Fire Hydrant Access: Fire hydrants are located across Route 28. Tapping these hydrants requires running hoses across the highway, which would force the closure of Route 28 during a house fire unless a dry hydrant is installed at the bridge location. 4. Pedestrian & School Bus Safety Because of the bridge’s red-list weight restriction, school buses can no longer enter the neighborhood. School children are forced to walk along the narrow, single-lane road to Route 28, which becomes particularly hazardous during winter due to snowbanks and darkness. According to NH State Senator Sharon Carson, who brought the NHDOT Commissioner out to inspect Stokes Road in person, the Commissioner shared several key points regarding the bridge and the town’s funding request:

On Reallocating State Funds: When asked about the town’s request to shift allocated state bridge funds from Stokes Road Bridge over to Hall Road Bridge, the Commissioner stated that the NHDOT **”very rarely ever says no to a town when they want to switch from one project to another”**. On Reversing the Decision: Senator Carson asked if the Londonderry Town Council could change its mind after hearing from residents and keep the funding on Stokes Road. The Commissioner confirmed that “of course they can do that” simply by submitting a letter to rescind the previous request. Concerns Over Eminent Domain: During his site visit, the Commissioner inspected the failing red-listed bridge and expressed concern that attempting major road reconfigurations or widening along the narrow, single-lane street would likely force the town into eminent domain , which residents strongly opposed.

Stokes Road Bridge project, 11/2/2026

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