<div>On Nov. 2, the Town Council heard a presentation from Director of Public Works Dave Wholley and Deputy Director of Public Works James Danis regarding previously approved funding for the Stokes Road Bridge project, which may be affected by the anticipated NH Department of Transportation realignment of Routes 28 and 128.“We’re here tonight to provide a little clarity on some funding mechanisms that we were discussing and that were previously voted on regarding the Stokes Road Bridge,” explained Wholley, referring to funding approved in March 2023. “The money has been sitting there for three years, and now we also have the situation with the Hall Road Bridge. The Hall Road Bridge is not any more or less important than the Stokes Road Bridge, but considering NHDOT’s new design considerations for the realignment, we felt it would be prudent to move the money over to the Hall Road Bridge.”Danis stated that the three-year delay has increased the projected costs of repairing, replacing or removing either bridge.Following a question from Councilor Ted Combes, DPW officials confirmed that the bridge funding does not expire.Danis said NHDOT officials were generally supportive of the proposal, arguing that improvements to Hall Road Bridge would serve a greater number of residents. Several residents expressed frustration over what they viewed as poor communication from the town, changing plans and a lack of progress on both the Stokes Road Bridge and Stokes Road itself.“This is a hot mess,” said State Sen. Sharon Carson, a Londonderry resident. “That bridge is a red-list bridge. It is failing. The problem is Stokes Road over there is basically a narrow, one-lane road. There’s wetlands there, and I don’t know how they’re going to be able to do this reconstruction. The only way you’re going to be able to adequately do this is to engage in eminent domain, and I don’t think the town wants to go down that road.”Carson questioned why Hall Road Bridge appeared to be receiving greater priority when Stokes Road’s problems seemed more immediate.Residents raised concerns about public notification and access issues.“For the neighborhood notice on those earlier hearings, for the two letters I got, they were mailed on July 2, and we didn’t get them until July 6,” said resident Robert Demers. “Most of us work, so we got the letter after work and only had a couple of hours to read it and come down. There’s also the issue with cars blocking the road and safety equipment trying to get through.”Demers noted that school buses can not travel all the way down the road. While acknowledging that most residents understand they live in a more rural area, he advocated for a culvert solution rather than closing the bridge and relying on a future Route 128/28 realignment.“We like to be under cover, and if they put a cul-de-sac down there, it’s going to open it up too much,” Demers said. “We’re just looking for a safe way to get in and out.”“There’s no room for a cul-de-sac on that road,” added resident Dave Martin. “We can’t widen the road, and the Route 128/28 intersection project has to be at least 10, if not 20, years away.”The Londonderry Fire Department also expressed concerns about emergency access under the current conditions, agreeing that nearby roads are already too narrow for comfortable access.“I understand the concern with the Fire Department. There’s a three-ton weight limit on that bridge, but I can tell you oil trucks go over that bridge regularly, trash trucks go over that bridge regularly. It’s just a matter of time before it caves in,” said Councilor Dan Bouchet. “I also understand the issues we have on Hall Road.”Wholley said he was open to a more comprehensive analysis of the situation in response to resident concerns, warning that doing so would add further delays and increase long-term costs.“That’s all going to take some time, but it leaves the money we have just sitting in the tills,” he said. “That’s why we ended up suggesting moving it over to Hall Road while all the paperwork with the state was being completed.”He assured residents and councilors that the town was not ignoring safety concerns and remained committed to finding a long-term solution.Town Council Chair Ron Dunn ultimately directed DPW officials to “bring us different ideas to keep the discussion open.” Danis and Wholley agreed to return with more information around the beginning of 2027 after obtaining further guidance from the state. Plans were discussed for holding another public hearing on the matter.</div>

Block Source: londonderrytimes.net

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On Nov. 2, the Town Council heard a presentation from Director of Public Works Dave Wholley and Deputy Director of Public Works James Danis regarding previously approved funding for the Stokes Road Bridge project, which may be affected by the anticipated NH Department of Transportation realignment of Routes 28 and 128.

Complaints Mount Over Changing Plans and Continuing Issues on Stokes Road

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On Nov. 2, the Town Council heard a presentation from Director of Public Works Dave Wholley and Deputy Director of Public Works James Danis regarding previ

Complaints Mount Over Changing Plans and Continuing Issues on Stokes Road

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