Concord eminent domain follow-up - road opening

[Pat McCotter]

This will be happening Wednesday, June 25 - Pat Mc.

Parkway comes to fruition 
20 years in making, road survives battles 

By SHIRA SCHOENBERG
June 20, 2008



When environmental scientist Melissa Smart did the first environmental studies for Langley Parkway, she was pregnant with her daughter. Yesterday, when Smart attended a final walk-through before the road opens, that same daughter was preparing to enter her junior year at the University of New Hampshire.

After more than 20 years of studies, lawsuits and construction, the parkway connecting Clinton Street and Concord Hospital is set to open next week. "I'm glad it's happened," Smart said.

The idea for the Langley Parkway has been around for decades. Smart said she performed the first environmental studies in the late 1980s. In the early 1990s, the city received state approval and completed a short first phase of the project. In 2000, the city, working with Concord Hospital and St. Paul's School, started applying for permits to complete the second phase. Since then, a group called the Northwest Bypass Group has opposed the plan, and it was delayed in court for several years. One of the most controversial issues came up when the city had to move a house belonging to the Tuttle family and the parties could not agree on an alternative location. Litigation over the case has continued until now.

Despite the opposition, the city started construction in 2006, and the 4,600-foot-long road will finally be open to cars Wednesday. "It's a big benefit to the community," said city Associate Engineer Martha Drukker, who has overseen the construction. "A lot of walkers and bikers have used it for the last several months. They love it."

Drukker said the road will help ambulances trying to reach Concord Hospital from the south or west and will move hospital-related traffic away from Memorial Field and Concord High School.

City Manager Tom Aspell said that with traffic increasing on Pleasant Street, "It's really all about safety, for vehicles and pedestrians."

On the Clinton Street side, the new road is bordered by cornfields. When the corn is fully grown, it should block the view of Langley Parkway from Clinton Street, Drukker said. In parts, the road is bordered by wetlands, and much of the area alongside the road remains forested. The city planted wildflowers on one side of the road.

In one place, Drukker said, the city had to alter the route because of evidence that an American Indian chief may have been buried there. Near the hospital, there is a retaining wall on the side of the road that can reach up to 18 feet high.

The road will have pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, separated from the cars by a grassy strip. "We love it," said Greg Banks, who works at the Olive Garden and was going for a walk yesterday with his partner, David Perry. "We used to walk in the South End, and we had to dodge traffic."

Perry added, "There's good scenery, and it's fairly quiet."

There are also 5-foot-wide shoulders to accommodate bikers.

An underpass will connect trails for hiking and cross country skiing, which will be maintained by the conservation commission and the Capital Ski and Outing Club. The Concord High School cross country club has already gone running there. On the second day the underpass was open, Drukker said, someone spied a bear walking through it.

One improvement yet to be made is a traffic light at the intersection of Langley Parkway and Clinton Street. Drukker said that in 2000 there was not enough traffic to warrant a signal. By now, traffic has increased and a signal will be necessary. The city council expects to set aside money for one in its 2010 budget.

The cost of building the parkway has been estimated at more than $8 million. City Engineer Ed Roberge said that it is unique to have a new highway alignment built using no federal or state money. "I hope this is the business model of the future, to partner with good groups and balance a functional traffic use with recreational opportunities," he said.

[Kat Kanning]

'oh the wonderful parkway', with no word about the people tossed out of their homes.   

[Porcupine_in_MA]

'oh the wonderful parkway', with no word about the people tossed out of their homes.  

Its "For the good of the community". So they're not important.

[Giggan]

It's a stone's throw from my house and I've taken my bike down it a number of times since it's been paved. I wasn't happy to see one night that they put up signs saying "KEEP OUT - POLICE TAKE NOTICE". I hate feeling threatened, but of course if anyone asks I didn't see the signs. If the police took notice as many times as signs around the city say they do, there'd be four times as many cops in Conc as there are.

Even though people may favor a road there, the majority opinion was against the city throwing the couple out of their home. I don't know why the dirtbags don't just buy the property they want, I guess theft is just much more efficient.

[Porcupine_in_MA]

Its "For the good of community", Giggan. 'Nuff said.

[John Edward Mercier]

It's a stone's throw from my house and I've taken my bike down it a number of times since it's been paved. I wasn't happy to see one night that they put up signs saying "KEEP OUT - POLICE TAKE NOTICE". I hate feeling threatened, but of course if anyone asks I didn't see the signs. If the police took notice as many times as signs around the city say they do, there'd be four times as many cops in Conc as there are.

Even though people may favor a road there, the majority opinion was against the city throwing the couple out of their home. I don't know why the dirtbags don't just buy the property they want, I guess theft is just much more efficient.

The property does get bought... but the owner may not wish to have sold.

[Giggan]

In a sense, but not for the value of the house to the owner, therefore it becomes theft. Just like taxes pay for services...

[Porcupine_in_MA]

The property is being taken away from the renter of the property without the renter's permission. So its theft. When you rent from the government, there is no contract stating that they can take away their land that you're renting from them.

[error]

So they'll reroute the road for a dead and buried Indian, but the living have to suffer.

[John Edward Mercier]

The money (taxes) and property were stolen for the good of the community... they needed road access and a place to walk/bike safely. 

[Giggan]

It opened yesterday, a day early. I drove on it, and it is convenient, but I still felt dirty being on it.