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August 10. 2012 2:09AM
Downtown Nashua streets to be two-way?
NASHUA — Mayor Donnalee Lozeau is proposing a $75,000 downtown roadway circulation study to re-visit the city’s 1972 decision to make many side streets one-way.
With construction of the Broad Street Parkway project about to begin, Lozeau said now is the time to consider changes in downtown traffic patterns. Her request to use $75,000 in escrow for the study has been supported by the aldermanic Budget Review Committee. It requires approval by the full Board of Aldermen.
Alderman Brian McCarthy, board president, supports the study.
“It is high time we took a look at that,” McCarthy said.
Forty years ago, Nashua converted many downtown side streets to one-way, with the goal of relieving traffic congestion without spending a lot of money. According to a presentation made to officials last October, the one-way streets enabled additional on-street parking and also reduced commuting times.
But in that same presentation, it was noted that some downtown advocates believe the one-way streets have kept the downtown from becoming a stronger shopping destination because visitors have a harder time navigating downtown streets.
The study would look at converting East and West Pearl streets to two-way roads, examine the turning radius to get onto Park Street from Main Street, and consider pedestrian and bike ways along various side streets, Lozeau said.
The mayor said that a separate bike path along Main Street is not feasible without losing a lane of traffic.
Lozeau told aldermen this week that Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., in conjunction with the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, could work jointly on the traffic study for about $75,000,
She believes that VHB would be the best firm for the job, since it is already familiar with the Broad Street Parkway project and existing traffic patterns near Main Street.
“I totally support this,” Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly said of the roadway study, emphasizing the study’s connection with the Broad Street Parkway project.
Another city official, Alderman-at-Large James Donchess, was not as enthusiastic.
Donchess said he would like to see more details about the roadway study before approving funds, specifically the scope of work that could be completed for $75,000.
Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.
With construction of the Broad Street Parkway project about to begin, Lozeau said now is the time to consider changes in downtown traffic patterns. Her request to use $75,000 in escrow for the study has been supported by the aldermanic Budget Review Committee. It requires approval by the full Board of Aldermen.
Alderman Brian McCarthy, board president, supports the study.
“It is high time we took a look at that,” McCarthy said.
Forty years ago, Nashua converted many downtown side streets to one-way, with the goal of relieving traffic congestion without spending a lot of money. According to a presentation made to officials last October, the one-way streets enabled additional on-street parking and also reduced commuting times.
But in that same presentation, it was noted that some downtown advocates believe the one-way streets have kept the downtown from becoming a stronger shopping destination because visitors have a harder time navigating downtown streets.
The study would look at converting East and West Pearl streets to two-way roads, examine the turning radius to get onto Park Street from Main Street, and consider pedestrian and bike ways along various side streets, Lozeau said.
The mayor said that a separate bike path along Main Street is not feasible without losing a lane of traffic.
Lozeau told aldermen this week that Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., in conjunction with the Nashua Regional Planning Commission, could work jointly on the traffic study for about $75,000,
She believes that VHB would be the best firm for the job, since it is already familiar with the Broad Street Parkway project and existing traffic patterns near Main Street.
“I totally support this,” Alderman-at-Large Barbara Pressly said of the roadway study, emphasizing the study’s connection with the Broad Street Parkway project.
Another city official, Alderman-at-Large James Donchess, was not as enthusiastic.
Donchess said he would like to see more details about the roadway study before approving funds, specifically the scope of work that could be completed for $75,000.
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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.
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