The design process for the Marlboro Street Rehabilitation Project began in the summer of 2018. The City soilcited bids from consulting engineers to design utility improvements and some complete streets features. The complete streets improvements were be limited to that which could be completed with the City's current funding. In August 2018 the City entered into a contract with Dubois & King, Inc. to perform the design work.
While survey and design progressed, the Community Development and Public Works Departments were busy developing the City's application for a federal grant for complete streets features on Marlboro Street. The Federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) provides funding for non-motorized users that are safe, reliable, and convenient. The grant is implemented through the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) Planning and Community Assisance Bureau.The funds are distributed by the NHDOT through a competitive application and review process.
The City applied for a TAP grant for a similar scope of work in the Fall of 2016 but was not successul. City staff adjusted the application in 2018 to focus the proposed work to that which was a highest priority for safety and intermodal transportation.
In January of 2019 the City was notified of its successful application for the TAP grant. Thanks to the additional funding through the grant, the Marlboro Street Rehabilitation project will be a two-year construction project. In 2019 the existing water, sewer, and drainage utilities through the corridor will be repaired and upgraded to improve their function and lifespan.
In 2020 the project will resume with new granite curbing in areas, repair of concrete sidewalks, painted bicycle lanes, intersection safety improvements, repaving and striping the street, and a new bicycle and pedestrian connection between Marlboro Street and the Cheshire Rail Trail.
Although the City would prefer to complete all improvements to Marlboro Street within one construction season, it is not currently possible. The City must comply with certain procedural requirements to use the federal funding for construction. This includes a series of design submissions and reviews by the NHDOT Planning and Community Assistance Bureau that cannot be completed in time for 2019 construction. While we understand this will cause headaches for residents and roadway users during the multi-phase construction process, we believe the effort will be worthwhile.
See estimated project schedule at the link below for more information: