This website was created in the fall of 2022 so people interested in the issues relating to the NH DOT Scheduled Reconstruction of Connecticut River Bridge between Lyme (NH) and Thetford (VT) could easily find materials.  

 

We update this page from time to time.  We have reached out to the Selecboards of Lyme and Thetford, our state reps, all members of NH’s Executive Counci, Governor Sununu, the two Senators from VT, the two Senators from NH, Congresspeople Balint and Kuster and the Federal Department of Transportation.  We include copies of some of the letters we have written under the Letters and Documents button.

 

Neither of our concerns - that the the "new" bridge will be just as narrow and dangerous for walkers and bikers as the current bridge. And that During the construction (18 months or more), the crossing will be closed, creating a financial loss of millions of dollars to the local economy, were addressed. 

 

 In January the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, as lead agency, and Vermont Agency of Transportation sent a letter “To the Citizens of the Upper Valley”, making it clear that the only alternative they would consider would be closing the bridge and starting the 10 year planning process all over (and of course in the meantime, because the bridge is so deteriorated, it would have to be closed).

 

There is a small silver lining. Senator Sander’s office responded to the requests for assistance.  There may be funding to explore options for creating a safe crossing for walkers and bikers.  We have written a summary which we are posting on this site.

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 There are two major concerns driving this attempt to change the NH DoT plans:

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• The "new" bridge will be just as narrow and dangerous for walkers and bikers as the current bridge.
 

• During the construction (18 months or more), the crossing will be closed. Closing the crossing will mean a financial loss of millions of dollars to the local economy.

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We drafted a letter we are asking as many as possible to sign. Please note that we don’t want to stop the bridge work or lose the money, nor would anyone have to lose their home. We simply don’t believe we must choose between these two equally unfortunate options:

1) building a bad bridge while the current bridge is closed for 18 months
2) waiting for the next 10-year planning process to design and fund a new bridge

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We think a loud outpouring of concern will get the attention of the Federal Department of Transportation and our Federal officials (the Federal government is paying more than 90% of the cost). Our local elected officials can help us get the attention of the Federal officials. At the top and bottom of this page is a link so you can sign the letter.

Click the button below to read the letter we are circulating. Thank you for your time.

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Your Neighbors in The Ad-Hoc Bridge Letter Group

Liz Ryan Cole, Dana Grossman, Alexis Jetter, O. Ross McIntyre, Krista Meyerhoff, Melinda
Meyerhoff, JJ Pippin, Amelia Santos, Eric Tadlock, Jan Williams, Helen Whyte, Ke Wu, Hebe Quinton