posted on: 7/3/2017

Funding approved by the state means the fourth phase of the Community Trail is moving forward. This phase of the trail expansion includes the design and construction of a trail from Route 108 to the middle and high schools, then to Bellamy Park, and ending at Route 155.

The City applied last fall for Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding for this project. The application included letters of support from the Mayor and City Council, and Superintendent of Schools. The state Department of Transportation recently notified the City that TAP funding for this phase of the trail project was approved. As a result, the state will use these funds to reimburse the City $320,000, or 80 percent of the $400,000 project costs.

State approves funding for next phase of Dover Community Trail expansion

posted on: 7/3/2017

Funding approved by the state means the fourth phase of the Community Trail is moving forward. This phase of the trail expansion includes the design and construction of a trail from Route 108 to the middle and high schools, then to Bellamy Park, and ending at Route 155.

The City applied last fall for Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding for this project. The application included letters of support from the Mayor and City Council, and Superintendent of Schools. The state Department of Transportation recently notified the City that TAP funding for this phase of the trail project was approved. As a result, the state will use these funds to reimburse the City $320,000, or 80 percent of the $400,000 project costs.

The rural section of the Dover Community Trail currently runs from Watson Road to Fourth Street, then the sidewalks on Fourth and Chestnut streets connect to the urban portion of the trail, from the Rotary Trailhead at the Transportation Center to Fisher Street.

The Community Trail Advisory Committee recently reviewed preliminary plans for the third phase of the Community Trail, which will connect the urban section of the trail from Fisher Street to a new trailhead at Route 108 and Central Avenue, and Rutland Street, by the end of 2018. This new trailhead will be the beginning of the fourth phase. The current third phase also includes improvements to the trailhead at Fourth Street. Funding for this phase was approved in 2015 and construction is expected to begin early 2018.

Among the next steps in the project’s fourth phase is seeking bids for an engineering and design services consultant.

“Dover’s Community Trail is such a gem and offers the best of both worlds: the urban paved portion near downtown and the rural rustic portion along the Cochecho River,” said Assistant City Planner Donna Benton. “The trail is used as a method of recreation as well as transportation and is open year-round so it’s incredibly exciting to see two phases of additional expansion in the coming years.”

If interested in getting more involved, the Community Trail Advisory Committee welcomes everyone to its meetings at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall on the third Tuesday of every month.

For more information about the Community Trail, contact the Dover Planning Department at 603-516-6008, email d.benton@dover.nh.gov or like the Dover Community Trail Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/DoverCommunityTrail.