Transportation

Video: N.H. Roads: How We Got Here

Emily Corwin and Sara Plourde — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 03:12:35 +0000

As lawmakers consider raising the state's gas tax, you may be wondering: are New Hampshire's roads getting worse? Why are they getting harder to pay for? And, does it really matter if we have a few more potholes?

NHPR's newsroom answers those questions in this animation:

New Hampshire Transportation Commissioner, Christopher Clement

Laura Knoy — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Today, we sit down with the Department of Transportation Commissioner, Christopher Clement, covering everything from road and toll projects to ways of funding transportation improvements and taking a look at what Commissioner Clement hopes to accomplish in 2013.

Guest:

Christopher Clement - Commissioner of the NH Department of Transportation

On the Road, with Cars and Bicycles

Laura Knoy — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 13:00:07 +0000

It’s been an uneasy relationship, with cyclists saying cars rule the roads, and drivers saying cyclists flout the law. In recent years, these groups have made some headway when it comes to relations, with more bike lanes and more education on avoiding collisions. But conflicts still flare up and many say there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

Guests:

Larry Keniston: Intermodal Facilities Engineer, Rail and Transit Bureau, N.H. Department of Transportation.

Greyhound Cuts Could Leave Riders Stranded

Todd Bookman — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:00:00 +0000

Greyhound used to be the symbol of American mobility; of transportation for all. To prove it, they made killer commercials.

…Go Greyhound and leave the driving to us !! America is discovering the comfort and convenience of Greyhound… [jingle]

Major Accident Shuts Down Parts of Route 101

Brady Carlson — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 17:59:45 +0000

Parts of Route 101 are closed following a serious accident near Auburn.

NHPR's Dan Gorenstein was in the area; he says state officials closed the road after Exit 2 and traffic was at a standstill.

WMUR is reporting a person was trapped in a car, and that officials were keeping the road closed to bring emergency vehicles and a rescue helicopter onto the scene.

Transportation Bill Hits Traffic Jam

Todd Bookman — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 20:04:01 +0000

You can add transportation to the long list of issues hitting a roadblock in Washington. Funding for New Hampshire’s I-93 expansion may get stuck in the beltway traffic jam.

Sarah Long Bridge Side Railings Hazardous

Roger Wood — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:44:25 +0000

Another bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery Maine is undergoing emergency repairs.

Side railings on the Sarah Long, or Middle Bridge are so rusty; they present a hazard to any vehicle that accidentally slides into them. So, the two states are taking emergency measures to protect motorists.

Cruising Over Colombia In A Plane From Another Era

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:04:00 +0000

The plane flown by Capt. Ricardo Fajardo has been around for nearly 70 years, ever since it was built in California by the Douglas Aircraft Co. at the height of World War II.

But as a red and orange DC-3 hugs the treetops and skims past the Vaupes River in the remote southeastern corner of Colombia, Fajardo says he wouldn't feel more comfortable in any other plane.

With the nose slightly up, he puts Flight 1149 down softly on a slippery dirt runway –- just the kind of strips that are found across the isolated region.

Memorial Bridge "Float Out" Begins

Roger Wood — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:52:58 +0000

Removal of the historic Memorial Bridge between Portsmouth and Kittery, Maine is finally underway.

Shortly after noon-time Wednesday, the center lift-span was lowered into position to be placed on a barge.

(Memorial Bridge photos by Erik Swenson, view gallery on flickr.)

Demolition of Memorial Bridge Begins With "Float Out"

Amy Quinton — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:41:36 +0000

The demolition of the Memorial Bridge begins Tuesday. The 90-year-old lift bridge, which crosses the Piscataqua River between Portsmouth and Kittery Maine, has long been in a state of disrepair.

The bridge closed permanently to vehicle traffic in July of last year.

Weather and barge setup permitting, the removal and “float out” of the lift span of the Memorial Bridge is expected to begin Tuesday morning at 9:00 a.m.

New Hampshire's Transportation Commissioner: Christopher Clement

Laura Knoy — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Today we sit down with New Hampshire's new Transportation Commissioner, Chris Clement.

Questions Over I-93 Funding Creates Economic Uncertainty

Rachel Gotbaum — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:12:02 +0000

The state commissioner of transportation warns that if the federal government moves ahead with a plan to cut $40 million of New Hampshire’s yearly highway funds—the completion of I-93 will be placed on hold, indefinitely. One portion that remains unfinished is exit 3 near Windham.

Many businesses there say the uncertainty of I-93’s future is hurting the local economy.

Moose Plates

Chris Martin and Francie Von Mertens — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

I admit to being a distracted driver at times, but it's not for the usual reasons. I'm looking for moose, but not the kind wildlife biologists usually look for. I'm looking for a small moose on car license plates.

Downeaster Train Service Turns Ten

Brady Carlson — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:43:36 +0000

This week officials with Amtrak’s Downeaster marked ten years in service.

The train line between Portland, Maine and Boston includes several stops in New Hampshire. Ridership is up and there are plans to expand the service next year.

Peter Griffin is president of the New Hampshire Railroad Revitalization Association. He tells All Things Considered host Brady Carlson about the Downeaster's ten years in service.

Q&A: State’s New Transportation Commissioner Battles Budget Cuts

Rachel Gotbaum — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 19:05:00 +0000

I recently spoke with newly confirmed commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation, Christopher Clement, about the current budget constraints at the DOT and also his plan on how to finish the $800 million expansion of Interstate 93 without federal dollars.