Follow-up to Discussion Questions

[vbitt...@cnhrpc.org]

There were several questions brought up at the Scenic Byway meeting on
Tuesday evening for which I promised to follow up. I spoke with Dean
Eastman, the NH DOT Scenic Byways Coordinator, about some of our
questions. Here is what I found out:

1. Can the route through Henniker reflect the Old Route 9, which was
the originally designated Byway, as opposed to the Route 202/9 bypass?

Probably. Because the original Byway designation was for Route 9
before the Bypass was constructed, there should be no problem with
showing the local roads on future Byway maps. Dean suggested that
future maps show both routes along the 202/9 Bypass and the route
along Old Concord Rd. and Western Ave. Information for travelers would
describe the features located on the local roads but still show that
the 202/9 Bypass is a main route through Henniker. Dean will seek
further clarification on this issue.

2. Could the Byway be extended on either end to the Daniel Webster
birthplace in Franklin and the Franklin Pierce homestead in Hillsboro?

No. However, any promotional literature and maps created for the Byway
could certainly depict and discuss these two important historical
sites and encourage Byway travelers to visit them.

3. How much can we expect traffic to increase along the Byway based on
its designation and promotion efforts in the future? Are there any
data available?

It is very difficult to measure an increase in traffic that is
specifically attributable to Byway designation. There are no hard
numbers available at this time. It really depends on how strong
efforts are to promote the Currier and Ives Trail. If businesses such
as restaurants, places of lodging, and other tourist-oriented
operations heavily advertise and promote the Byway, then there may be
some perceptible increase in traffic. In general, however, huge
traffic increases have not been seen along Scenic Byways that can be
related directly to Byway designation. It should also be noted that
the Currier and Ives Trail already IS designated and has been a Scenic
Byway for over 30 years. Future promotional efforts may make it more
"visible" to tourists, but presumably it is already receiving some
amount of traffic from people seeking it out as a scenic route.

4. Does Scenic Byway designation affect property values?

No. Property owners along the Byway are not affected by designation in
terms of how they dispose of their property. The state law that
enables the Scenic and Cultural Byway system is RSA 238:19, which
states, "It is the intent of the general court that the scenic and
cultural assets of the byways will be respected, that the rights of
individual property owners shall be preserved, and that nothing in
this subdivision shall be interpreted to preempt any land and zoning
authority granted to municipalities...".

5. Who would manage road improvement projects that were funded through
the Scenic Byways program?

More than likely, NHDOT would manage the project, especially if it is
on a state route. The Byway group would establish the need for the
road improvement through the Corridor Management Plan, and could apply
for Scenic Byways funding (for instance, a pull-off area for scenic
enjoyment). If funded, NHDOT would work with the community on the
design and construction process and would manage engineering, bidding,
and construction.

Please let me know if you have additional questions.

Vanessa Bittermann
CNHRPC
226-6020
vbitt...@cnhrpc.org