@ Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Executive Summary
Introduction
Nashua’s Downtown serves an integral role in defining the identity and spirit of the
community. Main Street and the surrounding roadways that make up the Downtown
are places to gather, conduct business, and express the values that unite residents.
With this in mind, the City of Nashua retained Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB)
to evaluate existing traffic circulation within the Downtown and to make suggestions
on any needed modifications that might enhance the experience of those who live,
work, and visit the Downtown. The purpose of the study is to:
« Develop and evaluate potential actions to improve roadway and intersection
traffic flow with regard to mobility
e Strengthen transit, pedestrian, and bicycle connections
e Enhance accessibility for residents and business within the Downtown.
The intent of the study is not to develop or recommend major reconstruction projects,
but rather, to identify modest actions that the City might consider implementing over
time.
The study area is generally bound by the Nashua River to the north, Spruce Street to
the east, East and West Hollis Streets to the south, and Pine Street to the west.
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Existing Conditions
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A review of existing conditions revealed a vibrant and thriving Downtown. Traffic
volume demand is high, not only during the peak commuter hours, but throughout
the day. Traffic flow is controlled along the major arterials of Main Street, West
Hollis Street, and East Hollis Street by a total of nine traffic signal controlled
intersections. Additionally, as part of the Broad Street Parkway project, two new
traffic signals will be installed at the Central Street/ Pine Street and Central
Street/Palm Street intersections.
The results of the operational analyses, with the Broad Street Parkway in place,
indicate that each of the signalized intersections are expected to operate acceptably
(LOS D or better). Similarly, the results of the evaluation shows acceptable operating
conditions at the unsignalized study area intersections with the exception of the
Walnut Street Oval, which revealed an LOS F operation during the weekday evening
peak hour.
The most dominating feature of the Downtown’s existing roadway network is the
presence of numerous one-way streets. Factory Street and Temple Street form a one-
Executive Summary
