@ Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc.
Street/Temple Street carries eastbound traffic flow while East and West Pearl Streets
provide westbound flow. Traditionally, in a downtown grid network, one-way
streets would alternate between eastbound and westbound roadways. In Nashua,
East/West Hollis Streets are oriented for westbound travel while Kinsley Street is
oriented for eastbound travel. This reverse orientation can be challenging for
motorists who are unfamiliar with the area. There are also north-south one-way
pairs consisting of Pine Street with Palm Street, Ash Street with Vine Street, and
Chestnut Street with Walnut Street. These north-south one-way pairs do alternate
with northbound roads adjacent to southbound roads followed by northbound roads
again for most streets west of Main Street. An exception occurs just east of Main
Street where northbound Spring Street does not have a corresponding one-way pair.
Roadways throughout the east end of the study area, as well as East Hollis Street and
West Hollis Street, have posted speed limits of 30 mph. Posted speed limits
throughout the west end of the study area, as well as along Main Street, are 25 mph.
For the purpose of this study, the evaluation considers that the Broad Street Parkway
is complete and fully operational. The 1.8 mile roadway will provide a link between
Broad Street (NH Route 130) on the north side of the Nashua River and the West
Hollis and Kinsley Street couplet on the south side of the river. This roadway
connects the Millyard District directly to the north side of the river bypassing Main
Street. The Broad Street Parkway is intended to divert north-south traffic from Main
Street and provide greater access to the Millyard. Figure 2 shows the finalized
concept plan for the Broad Street Parkway in relation to the study area. Although the
Final Environmental Impact Statement and all supporting analyses identified the
Broad Street Parkway to be opened by 2017, the City has expedited the project and
completion is currently targeted as early as August 2015. Nevertheless, this study
considers 2017 as the baseline condition.
@ 2.2.2 Public Transportation
Public transit is currently provided within the study area by the Nashua Transit
System (NTS) with the Nashua Transit Center located on Elm Street adjacent Nashua
City Hall. NTS has provided public transportation since 1886 and has routes
extending throughout the City. Three major services are provided by NTS: Citybus —
a daytime fixed route service; After 7— an evening fixed route service; and City Lift a
paratransit and senior citizen service running on the same routes as Citybus with
expanded service areas. All routes begin and end at the transit center. The primary
roadways with transit activities within the study area are Elm Street (location of
transit center) Main Street, Temple Street/Factory Street and East/West Hollis Street,
The study area bus routes and bus stops are depicted graphically in Figure 3.
B 2.2.3 Bicycle and Pedestrian
Pedestrian amenities are important to encourage walking trips within the downtown.
Safe and efficient pedestrian mobility contributes to a vibrant downtown. Pedestrian
facilities within the Downtown consist primarily of sidewalks and crosswalks along
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Existing Conditions
