Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will there be improvements to the Bedford Toll Plaza as a part of this project?

A. No, this is not part of the Nashua-Merrimack-Bedford 13761 project. The Bedford-Merrimack 16100 project, which is currently under construction, will remove the Bedford Toll Plaza and institute All Electronic Tolling.

Q. Will there be a toll increase as a part of this project?

A. No, there are no tolling changes currently proposed as a part of this project. This project is part of the Bureau of Turnpikes' Capital Program. The Bureau of Turnpikes cannot make changes to tolling as part of the Capital Program. Changes to tolling locations and rates are determined by the Governor and Executive Council. The scope of this project has been developed through the legislative Ten Year Plan process and does not include any changes to the tolling.

Q. Does this project construct any new Park and Rides along the corridor?

A. No, there are no new Park and Rides proposed along the corridor. There are already Park and Rides at Exit 5, 6, 7, 8 and 11.

Q. Will the roadway be expanded to four lanes under this project?

A. No, the traffic projections for the future do not indicate or support a need for a fourth travel lane.

Q. When will construction start and how long will it take?

A. Construction started in 2022 and is anticipated to be complete by 2034 according to the funding in the current Ten Year Plan. These dates could change based on financial constraints and priorities for the available funding. The NHDOT is working towards meeting this schedule.

Q. Will construction affect my daily commute?

A. There will most certainly be impacts to the traveling public during construction. The NHDOT is committed to reasonable efforts to minimize these impacts. One of the strategies being employed is a public outreach program designed to keep the public informed of current and upcoming construction activities. The goal is to get this information to the public in a timely manner that allows them to adjust their arrival and departure times or choose alternate routes.

Real time information is also being presented to active roadway users through the use of a Smart Work Zone which utilizes dynamic message signs and cameras to relay information and provide real time traffic information to the message signs, public websites, and the Transportation Management Center. The intent is to have these devices work in conjunction to provide for safer and quicker clearing of highway incidents or allow the user to seek an alternate route. All of these elements work together to improve the exchange of information among agencies, allowing the NHDOT, the New Hampshire Department of Safety, emergency responders, and local municipalities to react more effectively to incidents on the F.E.E.T., and further minimize and manage the impacts to the F.E.E.T., local streets, and services.

Q. Is there an Exit 9?

A. There is currently no Exit 9 interchange on the F.E.E.T. as this was envisioned for the northern terminus of the unbuilt Circumferential Highway around Nashua and Hudson.

Q. What is the status of Exit 12?

A. In 2004, the Nashua Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) published a study outlining some of the issues involved with potentially completing the Exit 12 interchange. This would require construction of a northbound on-ramp and a southbound off-ramp. The improved access to the Turnpike would result in traffic pattern changes and would require significant property acquisition. There are no current plans to change the access at Exit 12.

Q. Where can I find out more about project noise and NHDOT Noise Policies?

A. Use this link to see Information on the NHDOT Noise Barrier Programs (PDF).

Q. Where can I find out more about blasting operations?

A. Use this link to see a Blasting Fact Sheet (PDF).

Q. Where can I find information on other alternatives that were investigated?

A. The identification, consideration, and analysis of roadway and bridge alternatives for this project was key to the process and objective decision making. Design alternatives were rigorously explored and evaluated throughout the Preliminary Design process that concluded in the Fall of 2018.

Following the completion of the Environmental Study, a successful Public Hearing, and the Finding of Necessity by the Special Committee in May 2019, the Recommended Alternative was approved. A complete description of all the alternatives evaluated can be found in the Environmental Study.

Q. What is the project development process for projects like this?

This project is following the standard NHDOT project development process consisting of Preliminary Design followed by Final Design and then Construction.

The entire length of the corridor progressed through Preliminary Design together. During Preliminary Design, the project design alternatives were developed and analyzed for impacts. At the conclusion of the analysis, a recommended design alternative was identified. Environmental documentation occurred in the form of an Environmental Study. Preliminary Design was completed when the recommended alternative was presented at the formal Public Hearing, there was a Finding of Necessity, and the Environmental Study was approved, which occurred in 2018.

The corridor has now been broken into six pieces that are in different phases of the project development process, with some portions in Final Design, some portions actively being constructed, and other portions already completed.

Final Design includes further development of engineering plans. Right-of-Way, in the form of easements and acquisitions, will be acquired as needed, and construction contract documents will be prepared. Final Design is complete when the project has received all permits and approvals, is advertised for construction bids, and is awarded to a contractor. The project then transitions into the Construction phase.

The start of each construction project is based upon available funding, contractor schedule, and weather. Refer to the Schedule page of this website for estimate construction start dates.