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| Intro I-93 |
founders |
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| Discussion #1 |
key: Transportation |
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| Hello Return to index of stories... |
Hello. I'm Allison McNair. Welcome to NH Outlook. |
| Intro I-93 Return to index of stories... |
The proposal to expand Interstate 93 in southern New Hampshire is entering a new phase. It's time for public comment. In this program we'll hear from project managers, community leaders and organized opposition to the plan. Celene Ramadan beings our coverage. |
| I-93 Return to index of stories... |
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation plans to nearly double the width of the 19.8 mile stretch of interstate 93 between Salem and Manchester. The plan also includes infrastructure modifications such intersection design alterations and bridges. On top of these changes comes 3 new park and ride lots, bike paths and a space for a potential rail corridor down the median. The total estimated cost is $420.6 million. "420 Million dollars for a highway that will fail in 20 years." "We're probably going to fill those lanes up almost as quickly as we can get them built." Those are just some of the concerns of area residents who showed up for Tuesday's public hearing in Salem. Some expressed fear that the expansion project will change the landscape of southern new Hampshire forever. Among those changes: loss of natural habitat, wetlands and people's homes. "I was shocked to learn that my backyard is now a detention basin. And they are taking 200 feet out of my 210 foot backyard." Crowd shots "Also, just so the elected officials understand the emotional value of the home. I'm sure these people are well intentioned, but they don't understand. They're just numbers to them." "We're not doing anything that's unnecessary. So, where there are impacts, we try to listen to the people's concern." "The so-called secondary impacts that will be caused by this project are measurable and direct. The 800 -1,000 schoolchildren that will move to Derry as a result of this project will require construction of one or more new schools along with associated staff and supplies. This is going to be a direct cost to Derry." "…If you build it, they will come. And he did build it. And they did come and that movie ended up in a horrendous traffic jam that stretched across a good part of Iowa. The same thing, I'm afraid could happen with this project." "You didn't need to build it and I came anyway. And I think there's going to be more folks that are going to come and live in this great state. Traffic or not." Crowd shot. "I consider myself part of a group of 140,000 New Hampshire hostages everyday as I drive back and forth on route 93. In traffic for a half an hour or an hour, depending on the time of day." "I heard someone say that he was a victim when he drove on 93. Here's my bus ticket. It's a round trip ticket. It costs 17.50. For those of you who don't go to Boston, this might not be such an easy solution. It is for me. I am too soon old and too late smart. I drove the highway for years. This is the better way to go." Extra fuel has been added to the fire since the interstate 93 widening plan has been put on the fast track by the federal government. The Executive Order signed by President Bush calls upon the DOT to select an interagency task force to streamline decision making. "What I hope it does is keep the focus on the important issues so that it doesn't get mired in controversy and that we can get expeditious decision making again, to keep it moving forward." BUT MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST NOW LEARNING ABOUT THE PROJECT'S POTENTIAL IMPACT. "The towns now, and I am a resident in Derry, we have a growth ordinance. We need time to plan." WITH THE PROJECT NOW ON THE FAST TRACK, THE PERIOD FOR PUBLIC COMMENT CLOSES DECEMBER 16TH. IN SALEM, I'M CELENE RAMADAN FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK. |
| Intro Discussion Return to index of stories... |
Joining me now to talk more about the project, New Hampshire Department of Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray and Director of Project Development Jeff Brillhart. |
| Discussion #1 Return to index of stories... |
I-93 Questions: 1. There has been criticism about the "streamlining" of these transportation projects, saying that in order to make things more efficient, the possibility for public input has been sacrificed. How has this process been streamlined? Has public input been sacrificed? 2. The Delphi Panel has released some estimations on population growth as a result of the I-93 widening. -Population increases by 40,000 - by year 2020 -40,000 acres of land to be developed for residential purposes -and a total growth impact of 10,000 acres How did these figures come about and what are we to believe about them? Should more be done to study and research the impact on the so-called secondary communities? How do we guage the impact on small town life in New Hampshire? 4. As we heard from Tuesday's public hearing, many of the people are concerned about the impact to wildlife and wetlands. First, what does a wetland do for the environment? 5. How can you relocate a wetland and have it still benefit its surroundings? What is the process of relocating a wetland? 6. Break up the jargon: Name all the committees involved? What are all these committees here to do? When we hear the word "mitigate" in context of this issue, what are we talking about? 7. What is the purpose/goal of the public hearing? 8. Are those opposed to this expansion offering any alternative plans? 9. Any new development or expansion plan will have a definite effect on the environment. What specific aspects of the landscape on this 18 miles will be threatened and what will the effects be? 10. Won't the population of NH inevitably increase with or without this expansion? Sen Klemm - What was the initial reaction of your district/community when it heard about expansion plans for I-93? What are some of those major areas of concern? Carol - In a letter from Bob Varney of the EPA, he says that the D-O-T has not taken under consideration the substantial growth and development impact of the project. You've been quoted as saying you were "shocked." Why? Carol, in the piece we just saw, the Conservation Law Foundation says revitilization of the railway system should be included in the plans - was that an option that was looked at? What about communities that are ouside the immediate impacted area - Aubrun Chester and Hooksett - have you met with them about concerns? What is DOT offering - 18 million for preservation of Environmentalists say if you build it they will come and D-O-T offer falls short not consider resulting boom. Some environmental groups are calling for the state to preserve 3400 acres well beyond primary impact communities of derry salem windham, londonderry and Manchester to compensate for secondary impact estimate by conservation law foundation 40 thousand acres developed for residential 100 thousand for commerical development as a result of expansion do you agree with those numbers? This is a major project - largest public works project 350 million.significant consequence to they was South and Central New Hampshire will grow - has that been considered by DOT? |
| Intro Discussion #2 Return to index of stories... |
Joining us now from the Conservation Law Foundation Tom Irwin. |
| Tag Return to index of stories... |
The next public meeting is Thursday, November 14 in Manchester at the Henry J. McLaughlin Middle School. The hearing begins at 6pm. If you'd prefer to send your comments in writing, send them to: The NH Department of Transportation, 1 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03303. |
| Tomorrow Return to index of stories... |
On the next New Hampshire Outlook - We look at some new research on the economic disparity of black Americans. Dartmouth economist Bruce Sacerdote looks at the post emancipation economic disparities between slaves and free blacks. |
| Goodnight Return to index of stories... |
That's it for this edition of our program. For all of us here at New Hampshire Public Television, I'm Ally McNair. Thanks for joining us. We'll see you next time on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| founders Return to index of stories... |
Thanks to our founding sponsors who have provided major funding for the production of New Hampshire Outlook: New Hampshire Charitable Foundation Public Service of New Hampshire Alice J. Reen Charitable Trust Putnam Foundation Stratford Foundation |
| WEB PROMO Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. New Hampshire's newest African American Cultural Center. Tonight at 10pm on New Hampshire Public Television. |
| Intro Domain Return to index of stories... |
Imagine being told by the state that you must give up your property or even move out of your own home. It's a process that happens to hundreds of granite staters every year. It's called the right of eminent domain and it's under scrutiny by state legislators. As we're about to see the process can be heartbreaking. |
| key: Transportation Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/13/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a story about the I-93 Expansion project in New Hampshire. Show lead off with a package by reporter Celene Ramadan about the Public Meetings being held to discuss the impact on homeowners and wetlands. Members of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and Conservation Law Foundation joined Ally in studio. The interviews were seperate - the two groups would not participate in a discussion together. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Celene Ramadan NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Brillhart\\Director Project Development, NH Dept of Transportation Carol Anne Murray\Commissioner, NH Dept of Transportation Tom Irwin\Conservation Law Foundation |
| key: Environment Return to index of stories... |
NEW HAMPSHIRE OUTLOOK Air Date/Time: 11/13/02 22:00 HOST: Allison McNair Length: 26:46 minutes In this edition of New Hampshire Outlook, NHPTV's nightly news magazine, included a story about the I-93 Expansion project in New Hampshire. Show lead off with a package by reporter Celene Ramadan about the Public Meetings being held to discuss the impact on homeowners and wetlands. Members of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and Conservation Law Foundation joined Ally in studio. The interviews were seperate - the two groups would not participate in a discussion together. PRODUCER/REPORTER: Allison McNair, Celene Ramadan NAME OF PARTICIPANTS: Jeff Brillhart\\Director Project Development, NH Dept of Transportation Carol Anne Murray\Commissioner, NH Dept of Transportation Tom Irwin\Conservation Law Foundation |
| Tonight 10:00 Return to index of stories... |
Tonight on New Hampshire Outlook. Join us tonight at 10:00 only on New Hampshire Outlook. |
| Tag Domain Return to index of stories... |
On Friday the committee looking at the eminent domain issue will release its findings. In a draft released to New Hampshire Outlook on Tuesday, members of the committee make 17 state policy recommendations. Among them are creating an independent ombudsman to oversee the process. |