Project Summary

Replacement of the historic, but structurally deficient, Main Street Bridge over the Contoocook River in downtown Peterborough was the catalyst for one of the largest and most complex transportation infrastructure projects the Town has undertaken in recent history. Hoyle Tanner worked with the Town and NHDOT on this federally funded LPA project from the engineering study through construction administration and observation phases. 

The Main Street Bridge is located within 50’ of the congested stop-controlled T-intersection of Main Street and US Route 202. Realignment and widening of approximately 850’ of Route 202 will improve sight distance, traffic flow, and safety in this area. The existing western Route 202 sidewalk will be maintained and reconstructed, and a new eastern sidewalk will be added. In addition to bridge and roadway reconstruction, this project also includes construction of a new kingpile retaining wall to support the realigned Route 202 roadway, reconstruction of a portion of the Transcript Dam, in-situ stabilization of a historic boulder retaining wall, and lining of a historic granite canal. 

The foundation for this project has been an extensive public participation process that began very early during the Engineering Study phase with design concept meetings held with the Selectboard, Planning Board, and the public at large. Public and stakeholder engagement continued throughout design and into construction in the form of regular update meetings with various federal, state and local agencies, as well as with the general public. Beginning in 2009, Hoyle Tanner either facilitated or participated with a significant role in over 50 public and/or agency meetings to gain support for, and consensus on, this complex project. Our public outreach process included: in-person meetings and presentations, virtual meetings, and development and maintenance of a project-specific website to keep the public up to date on project progress. During construction a web-based streaming video and photography system was implemented to allow for construction progress to be viewed continuously and documented. A 4K high-resolution live streaming and time-lapse camera was mounted to a nearby structure and linked to website to facilitate keeping the construction team current on progress when site visits from team members other than the full-time Resident Engineer were not feasible or required. This camera also collected some of the still photography documenting construction progress that was stipulated by the MOA. The final deliverable for the project included a 5-minute video documenting the historic downtown as well as a tri-fold brochure for the area.