Links to articles and PDFs are underlined.
You might want to start by reading this recent article from the Valley News. (9/26/2022)
The bridge has needed work for more than 20 years. Most people were (and many still are) until recently, completely unaware that the required repairs would lead to bridge closure and the same narrow dangerous bridge we have now when the work is complete
The last hearings regarding the bridge project took place seven years ago. Here is the pdf from the Public Informational Meeting (October 22, 2015). “Lyme, NH – Thetford, VT 14460 - East Thetford Road Bridge Rehabilitation”. This week (mid November) DoT posted Project Status Update 2. This was recently posted, perhaps in anticipation of a very recently scheduled Public Forum (not a hearing), set for Monday Nov 28, at 6:30 pm in Anderson Hall (Thetford Academy).
Sidenote has published 6 articles on the bridge topic:
• Bridge closure will disrupt firefighter mutual aid and raises capacity concerns
• Rep. Jim Masland: Thetford/Lyme Bridge (Changing the outcome will require intervention from higher up, perhaps NH's and VT's Congressional Delegation)
• Rehabilitate or replace? (The Lyme-East Thetford bridge has a Sufficiency Rating of 31.5%. Replacement might become necessary)
• A safety review of the Lyme-East Thetford bridge
• The history and context of the Lyme-East Thetford bridge
• Lyme-East Thetford bridge rehabilitation delayed 1 year
Once Thetford Academy learned about the plan they also voiced concerns. Here is the letter they sent to the NH DOT on 12/21/21 addressing the closure.
The Lyme Selectboard, in a letter dated October 13, expressed their concerns to the NH DOT with copies to the 4 Grafton District 12 representatives (Mary Hakken-Phillips, Russ Muirhead, James Murphy, and Sharon Nordgren). Here is a link to that letter.
UPDATE 12/5/22 - MEETING SCHEDULED FOR 12/6 6-7 pm (doors will open at 5:45)
We are meeting in person at the Converse Free Library in Lyme at 6 pm on Tuesday December 6
If you can’t make it in person then please join by Zoom by clicking here
(wait to be let in)
Agenda
Identify the arguments NH DoT is making
List responses
Identify decision makers to be contacted/recontacted
Determine how to manage information gathered
Discuss whether a meeting Dec 12 is necessary
UPDATE 12/3/22 -
Beginning this April, the State of NH plans to close both the Lyme Thetford Bridge for at least 18 months and partially close the Ledyard Bridge in some of that same time period. 600 people have signed a letter (and hundreds also attended a meeting at Thetford Academy last Monday) expressing our concerns about the dangerous outcome that will result if no provision is made for pedestrians and cyclists and the devastating personal, financial and economic impact for businesses, schools, community and family this long closure will bring. NH presents their bridge plans as not subject to change and makes it clear that if there is pushback/delay their response may be to simply divert the funds dedicated to this bridge to another project and start the 10-year process all over again.
BUT, is there really no way to change the DoT’s course at this late date without adding multiple years to the start time? Can additional money be found to build a safer, longer lasting bridge?
We believe the answers to these questions are yes. We think our federal officials, elected and appointed, can work with NH to create the time needed to improve the state’s current plan. The NH DoT has said that if they were doing it today they might do it differently. Let’s help them do it differently now.
Town Lists and Facebook are imperfect tools for exchange of information and decision making. The Lyme/Thetford Bridge Ad-Hoc Committee will host two in-person meetings, December 6 and December 12, both with Zoom links.
If you have concerns and have not yet signed the letter, please click here and do it now! And call your Congresspeople and Senators and Governor!
If you would like to attend either or both upcoming meetings, Dec 6 and/or Dec 12, go to this website. Look under UPDATES. Once we have firm times and places we will post information there about where and when the meetings will take place and how to join via Zoom if you can’t come in person.
Liz Ryan Cole