During its most recent meeting, the Hudson Board of Selectmen held a public hearing to formally accept unanticipated state funds for the Melendy Road Bridge replacement project.
Town Engineer Elvis Dhima explained that the Board originally approved the design and permitting phase of the bridge replacement in January 2023.
“That basically initiated the Board of Selectmen to have a shovel-ready project in case a great opportunity came along,” Dhima said.
In October 2023, Hudson presented its case to the Government Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation, advocating for the project to be added to the state’s 10-Year Plan.
“At that meeting, we made our case that this should be on the 10-Year Plan,” Dhima said. “The town had the design done, the right-of-way was in progress, and all permitting – including the NEPA permit – was in place.”
Dhima noted in a memo to the Board that Hudson took a proactive approach by using State Bridge Aid and ARPA funds to complete the design, permitting, and right-of-way acquisition without initial state assistance.
“The intent was to establish a shovel-ready project that could qualify for state participation under an 80/20 cost split for the construction phase,” he wrote.
On January 26, 2024, the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) notified the town that the project had been added to the state’s 10-Year Plan and would be funded under the 80/20 cost share.
Hudson entered into an agreement with NHDOT (Project 44653) on March 28, 2024. During budget preparation, the town posted a warrant article for $100,000 to move the project forward. Ideally, Dhima said, the article would have covered the full local share of $1,448,866.65, but the state agreement had not yet been finalized.
“To date, we have received $837,390.20 and have been advised to officially accept the full unanticipated allocation of state funds to ensure proper recordkeeping,” Dhima wrote.
The Board of Selectmen unanimously approved accepting the remaining unanticipated funds in the amount of $1,159,093.32, representing 80% of the total project cost allocation.
The next Selectmen meeting is scheduled for October 14 at 7 p.m.
