South Nashua. This project also provides the opportunity to add more freight traffic
along this corridor.
East Holils Street Traffic Improvements
The City of Nashua received a $3.661,000M award from NH DOT (R-13-154) to design
and construct improvements to the existing signalized intersection where East Hollis
Street and Bridge Street meet. A planning study by STV, Inc. has been ongoing to
develop alternatives and select a recommended plan that can then go forward into
the Engineering Phase of the overall project.
The study examined whether a roundabout design would include full access to the
Renaissance site and the Crown Street connection. The results presented showed that a
roundabout does not operate satisfactorily. The only intersection redesign that STV
recommended as the concept to both improve access and east/west traffic flow is a
twin signalized intersection. However, this design does not meet the City's vision
regarding the use of the space and the ability to treat it as a gateway. Another traffic
concept that results in acceptable levels of service is a one-way couplet that makes
Bridge Street and East Hollis Street one ways from the Hudson line to Amory Street/
Temple/Sireet. However, this concept comes with significant changes in the area
including circulation, speed and increased travel times.
City staff plans to host a public information meeting in late January or early February to
present the findings of the STV study. The City may take a step back to examine
whether the existing traffic problems, added development traffic and accesses can be
addressed by taking a broader view of the area. This might include examining the
traffic operations in Hudson immediately east of the Merrimack River. New traffic
counts are being obtained by the Nashua Regional Planning Commission to help
support these efforts.
25 Crown Street
The City of Nashua acquired the former Gregg & Sons/Armstrong Cabinet property in
July of 2013, utilizing a CMAG grant from NHDOT. The purpose of the acquisition was to
site and eventually build a park & ride facility to be used by commuters from Downtown
Nashua and across the Merrimack River. Staff is set to launch the design and
construction phase of the project in 2016 and expect to open the facility in 2017.
The City recently signed a five-year lease with Makelt Labs to occupy the 15,000 sq. ft.
building located at the front of the site. The non-profit organization is expected to
complete renovations in the first quarter of 2016 on what will become New Hampshire's
largest makerspace. This makerspace could safely remain at the site in the space long-
term, as the building does not conflict with the plans to construct the park & ride facility.
