Nashua Region Metropolitan Transportation Plan 2015-2040 This document provides a basic blueprint for long-term transportation investment in the Nashua Region to the horizon year 2040.The plan is structured around four major goals, developed through public outreach and coordination with advisory committees, which include Mobility and Accessibility, Quality of Life, System Sustainability and Implementation. Adopted December 17, 2014 Image: Amherst Road, Mont Vernon, N.H.(NRPC) Executive Summary ............................................................................3 Environment and Air Quality ....................................................... 37 Goals and Vision .................................................................................3 National Ambient Air Quality Standards .................................. 37 Existing Conditions ..............................................................................6 Nashua Carbon Monoxide Status ............................................ 37 Demographics .................................................................................7 Air Quality - Looking Ahead ..................................................... 38 Senior Population .......................................................................8 Carbon Dioxide ......................................................................... 39 Population Under Age 18 ............................................................9 Water Quality ........................................................................... 40 Poverty and Vehicle Availability .............................................. 10 Open Space .............................................................................. 40 Growth Patterns and Land Uses .................................................. 11 Future Conditions ............................................................................ 41 Regional Road Network ............................................................... 13 Introduction ..................................................................................... 42 Federal Functional Class .......................................................... 16 Population and Employment Projections .................................... 42 Traffic Volumes and Trends ..................................................... 16 Employment Projections .......................................................... 44 Parking Facilities ...................................................................... 21 Travel Demand Projections .......................................................... 44 Air Traffic ..................................................................................... 23 What if we do nothing? ........................................................... 46 Transit and Pedestrian/Bicycle Infrastructure ............................. 25 What if we build? Comparing the 2040 Build to the Do nothing Nashua Transit System ............................................................ 25 ................................................................................................. 48 Manchester Transit Authority.................................................. 27 Major Corridor Projections ...................................................... 48 Demand Response Service ....................................................... 28 Can Transit Help? ..................................................................... 50 Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities .............................................. 29 Mobility and Accessibility ................................................................ 52 Funding and Maintenance ........................................................... 31 Introduction ..................................................................................... 53 Safety ........................................................................................... 34 What We Heard ........................................................................... 53 1 Objectives .................................................................................... 55 Plan for alternative fuel infrastructure to support the next Improve East-West Travel ........................................................ 55 generation of passenger vehicles ............................................ 72 Enable the movement of goods to support the economy ...... 59 System Sustainability ....................................................................... 74 Manage travel demand and reduce peak hour travel time ..... 60 What We Heard ........................................................................... 75 Increase connectivity and decrease transportation-related Identify road and bridge maintenance needs .......................... 75 emissions ................................................................................. 61 Increase safety for all transportation system users................. 76 Expand fixed route transit service ........................................... 61 Expand demand response and volunteer driver services ........ 77 Improve access of transit alternatives to underserved Secure funds to match available Federal Transit Administration populations .............................................................................. 62 (FTA) funds ............................................................................... 77 Coordinate transit service between Nashua, Manchester, Implementation ............................................................................... 79 Boston ...................................................................................... 63 Introduction ..................................................................................... 80 Ensure timely emergency response ......................................... 64 Long Range Transportation Plan Project Update Process ....... 80 Increase connectivity and decrease transportation-related Projects ........................................................................................ 82 emissions for the region .......................................................... 65 Environmental Justice .............................................................. 90 Quality of Life ................................................................................... 66 Fiscal Constraint ....................................................................... 93 Introduction ..................................................................................... 67 Performance Measures ............................................................ 96 What We Heard ........................................................................... 67 Potential Environmental Issues for Consideration ................ 116 Increase access to basic amenities such as food, health care, jobs, and social services ........................................................... 68 Conclusion ...................................................................................... 117 Establish passenger rail service ............................................... 68 Expand bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure miles ............... 69 Support transit- and pedestrian-oriented development to manage VMT ............................................................................ 70 Reduce environmental effects of transportation system ........ 71 2 Executive Summary 3 Residents of the Nashua Region enjoy access to an extensive and well-developed transportation network. Most residents of the region commute by automobile and the region is well-oriented for such travel; highway networks are extensive and provide convenient access to major destinations. Traffic congestion is relatively light relative to nearby metropolitan areas and parking facilities are plentiful in nearly all areas. Pedestrian networks are well developed in many downtown and town centers and bus transit service within extends beyond the city boundaries, and of any traffic issues before they encounter Nashua is relatively expansive; the system the region lacks an integrated pedestrian them), as well as public-private is one of the very few in the state to and bicycle network across communities. partnerships and the consideration of pay- provide service during nighttime hours. Slightly more than a quarter of residents as-you-go transportation technologies Human service providers, like Souhegan commute to Massachusetts for work, but offer strategies to control or reduce Valley Rides, represent excellent models of recurrent traffic congestion and a maintenance costs over time. The region grassroots transportation solutions. preference for more travel options has will be challenged to defend the need for The region does face many transportation spurred many residents to advocate for the transportation investments against challenges. Infrastructure maintenance extension of passenger rail service to the competing needs and showcase how such needs have strained resources at all levels region. As the population ages, senior projects directly impact the region’s quality of government as many highway and transportation needs will remain a major of life and economic competitiveness. issue. bridge facilities reach the end of their functional lifespans. The region also faces a Moving forward, municipalities will be backlog of transportation project needs in challenged to identify sustainable funding an era when funding opportunities are sources for transportation maintenance limited. Transportation options, needs, particularly