Update on the process regarding a signal at the Bunker Hill/Portsmouth Avenue Intersection.

Here's an update on the process regarding a signal at the Bunker Hill/Portsmouth Avenue Intersection.

Rockingham Planning Commission These comments are intended to provide some clarity and direction on the next steps in the Ten Year Transportation Plan process.

We are nearing the end of a public outreach process led by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT). GACIT is made up of the Executive Council members as well as the Commissioner of the NHDOT. Councilor Prescott is your Executive Councilor. The letters and emails that were submitted over the last several weeks have been received and compiled by NHDOT. Councilor Prescott has been briefed by NHDOT, received your emails and letters and is aware of the importance of this project.

The GACIT will meet three more times over the next month, starting tomorrow, to review public comments/testimony on the projects and materials included in the draft 2019-2028. GACIT may make changes based on the public input received to date and forward recommendations to the Governor in December 2017.

All three public meetings will be held at the NH Department of Transportation, John O. Morton Building, 7 Hazen Drive in Concord in Conference Room 114 and will begin at 2:00PM. The dates are:

• Wednesday, November 22, 2017. 
• Wednesday, December 6, 2017. 
• Wednesday, December 20, 2017.

By the end of December the draft Ten Year Plan will be submitted to the Governor by the GACIT. The Governor’s office will review the plan and "may" make changes.

The Governor will then move the plan into the legislature for implementation as a state law. During this process, there will be public hearings by the House Public Works and Highway Committee. Based on public input at these hearings the Ten Year Plan may be amended before advancing to the House floor for a vote. Once the Ten Year Plan passes the House of Representatives, it then crosses over into the Senate on or around March 22, 2018. The Senate Transportation Committee may hold a public hearing before advancing the Plan to the Senate floor for a vote. Once again, there could be changes during the Senate public hearings. Once the Ten Year Plan successfully passes the House and Senate floor votes it goes to the Governor’s desk for signature.

So, as for clear concise next steps for public involvement:

• GACIT approves draft Ten Year Plan – December 20, 2017
   o Attend the meetings listed above
• Governor’s office review – December 21, 2017 – January 4, 2018
   o Contact Governor’s Office and voice your opinion on the project
• NH House of Representatives January 2018 – March 22, 2018
   o Write/email your local Representatives to voice your opinion on the project.
   o Monitor the legislative calendar and testify at the House Public Works and Highway Committee Public Hearing
• NH Senate March 22, 2018 – May 3, 2018
   o Write/email your State Senator and voice your opinion on the project
   o Monitor the legislative calendar and testify at the Senate Transportation Committee Public Hearing
• Governor’s Signs the Ten Year Plan into law- June 2018

Please feel free to follow Rockingham Planning Commission as we will try to provide updates on the Ten Year Plan Process and post dates for hearings as they are scheduled.