During the Hudson Planning Board meeting on Aug. 26, members heard a request for support on the corridor funds that would allow the town to move forward with a long-awaited highway construction project.
“This Planning Board started a process back in 2019 to make improvements to Lowell, Birch, and Belknap Road. It’s been going well and we’ve got the design pretty much done,” explained Town Engineer Elvis Dhima. “We got a warrant article that voters approved for about $2.5 million toward the project, with the intent to get this on the 10-year plan. I’m pleased to announce that the governor’s Advisory Commission on Intermodal Transportation is happening in Hudson again this year. It’s October 7 at 7 p.m. at the Community Center, and I hope some of you can show up to speak in favor of this project. This is very important.”
High turnout at a similar event previously helped Hudson secure funding for the Melendy Road Bridge project. Dhima said the town would now request an additional $2.5 million from the state for the Lowell, Birch, and Belknap Road improvements.
The plan calls for extending Belknap Road and connecting it directly to Lowell Road through a four-way intersection with Birch Street. Funding for the project comes from a mix of local, state, and federal sources.
With the design phase complete, Dhima said the town is now pursuing a federal permit, a dredge-and-fill permit from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, and a right-of-way acquisition.
“We’re in front of you tonight first for up to $200,000 to be taken out of the corridor funds to purchase the right-of-way we need to get this project done,” Dhima told members of the Planning Board. “There are only two properties to be impacted: Suzie’s Diner Plaza and the pizza place next door.”
Dhima noted that the current plan would minimize business disruption, with Suzie’s Diner likely losing only one parking space.
“Can you just cover what specific tasks we’ll be taking care of for this $200,000?” asked Planning Board member Victor Oates.
According to Dhima, the corridor funds would pay for the right-of-way purchase and a third-party consultant.
“It sounds like you’re going to be making changes and alterations to the site plan of Suzie’s Diner. Is the town going to be responsible for bringing that up and having it updated?” asked Board Chair Tim Malley. “I just don’t want to see them get nailed for a site plan violation 20 years down the road.”
Dhima said he did not expect much pushback from business owners due to the limited impact of the acquisition and did not believe the site plan adjustment would create long-term issues.
Without much debate, the Planning Board approved the use of corridor funds for the right-of-way. The Board also voted to recommend a $215,000 expenditure to the Board of Selectmen for a wetland permit fee.
“I’m personally looking forward to this becoming a reality, and I think we have a good chance to make our case in October to get this thing done,” Dhima said. “If we’re successful now, we’ll be ready on that front by January 2026 and able to break ground next year.”
The next Planning Board meeting is set for Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Buxton Meeting Room.
