Welcome to Spaulding Turnpike Newington-Dover Project Website
FSEIS/SROD
On February 17, 2022, the FHWA approved a combined Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS)/Supplemental Record of Decision (SROD) for the proposed replacement of the General Sullivan Bridge. The Selected Alternative will involve replacement of the historic GSB, which spans the navigational channel of Little Bay between Newington and Dover.
View the Notice of Availability announcement.
From 2003 to 2008, the project team, advisory task force (ATF), and interested Seacoast stakeholders have evaluated a range of reasonable alternatives to identify a preferred alternative to improve long-term mobility and safety along the Spaulding Turnpike between Exit 1 and the Dover toll plaza, just north of Exit 6. The 3.5-mile stretch of the Turnpike in this area is characterized by closely spaced interchanges, substandard geometry and shoulder areas, and capacity constrained conditions during the weekday morning and evening commuter periods. Currently, the Turnpike carries in excess of 70,000 vehicles per day. Future travel demand projections (approximately 94,000 vehicles per day are forecasted in 2025) indicate that if the Turnpike is not improved, weekday traffic congestion will spread to additional hours of the morning and evening, and safety conditions will continue to deteriorate.
Following the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), a successful Public Hearing and the Federal Highway Administration’s issuance of the Record of Decision in October, 2008, the Selected Alternative was approved to advance into final design to be developed into contract plans. Preliminary and Final design of the selected alternative was initiated on December 18, 2008.
General Sullivan Bridge
As part of the larger project to improve the Spaulding Turnpike in Newington and Dover, the NHDOT and its consultant team completed a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) in 2007. Following issuance of the FEIS, NHDOT determined that rehabilitation of the General Sullivan Bridge would be challenging and determined that a re-evaluation of alternatives for the General Sullivan Bridge was appropriate. NHDOT is now updating the FEIS with a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) to consider other solutions to provide a connection for non-motorized travel between Newington and Dover.
Major Project Elements:
- 4 lanes in each direction (3 general purpose and 1 auxiliary lane) between Exit 3 (Woodbury Avenue) and Exit 6 (U.S. Route 4/Dover Point Road)
- 3 lanes in each direction south of Exit 3 and north of Exit 6
- 5 interchanges consolidated or reconfigured – Exit 2 and 5 are eliminated with Exits 3, 4 and 6 providing full access in all directions
- Rehabilitation and widening of Little Bay Bridges to accommodate 4 lanes in each direction
- Future planning for an elevated rail connection from the Newington Branch Line into Pease Tradeport
- Rehabilitation or replacement of the General Sullivan Bridge for pedestrian, bicycle, and recreational uses
- Park and ride facilities at Exit 9 in Dover, Exit 13 in Rochester, and along U.S. 4 in Lee
Beneficial Effects of the Project:
- Interchange reconstruction and consolidation will improve spacing, safety and air quality as well as reduce traffic congestion
- Connections to the Turnpike System will be improved at Exits 3 and 6, which improve safety as well as reduce circuitous local travel
- Travel time during the peak hours of the day on this section of the Turnpike will be reduced from 10 minutes to approximately 4 minutes upon completion; in the future (2025), travel times will be reduced from 25 minutes (with the No Build Alternative) to approximately 4 minutes with the Selected Alternative
- Improved connections to local roadways
- Improved pedestrian access and connections at several locations