Most White Mountains roads are open again, just in time for foliage season - The Union Leader
The state Department of Transportation has met or exceeded its goals to open the roads. It set Sept. 15 as its deadline for opening the Kancamagus Highway and Route 49 into Waterville Valley.
"All that's left for opening is U.S. 302. That deadline at the beginning was Sept. 30 (due to the need to install a temporary bridge). That was revised to September 23 ... and we are now looking to move that up with more progress," wrote DOT spokesman William Boynton on Wednesday in response to an email inquiry.
"Still a lot of work to be done in some locations ... i.e. NH 49, NH 16, NH 112 in Bath ... but those roads are open," he added.
The historic Blair Coverered Bridge in Campton, however, remains closed. Dout Gosling, DOT bridge maintenance administrator, said the bridge is a town bridge and is likely eligible for federal disaster assistance.
Residents and businesses near the long-span bridge over the Pemigewasset are anxious to see it reopen after a tree went through its side during the high water. The closure of the bridge requires an extra eight- to nine-mile ride in either direction.
Gov. John Lynch has made it a priority to get the state roads open in time for the tourism season. This week the state issued its first "Leaf Peeper" update, indicating the color was just beginning to show in the Great North Woods and that change would typically be moving from north to south. According to the update, the best time to view foliage in the White Mountains will likely be the first week of October.
Not only do New Englanders come to New Hampshire to see the brilliant leaves against the mountains, the fall foliage season brings travelers from great distances abroad.
Some of the main and side roads through the White Mountains were undermined by Tropical Storm Irene Aug. 28 and 29. Meteorologists say about 8 inches of rain rolled down the mountains in as many hours, gushing into valleys on river systems which are often where roads are co-located.
Touring heavily damaged Route 49 along the Mad River two days after the storm, where the road had been gouged out in five separate locations, Lynch met with DOT officials, who pledged to stabilize it to one-lane traffic by Sept. 15.
That goal has been achieved.
George Bald, commissioner of the state Department of Resources and Economic Development, attended the tour, as did White Mountain National Forest Supervisor Tom Wagner.
Both said the majority of their properties had weathered a forceful Irene but that a handful of properties would remain closed the rest of the season.
Lincoln welcomes the Highland Games this weekend despite a collapsed town bridge that links Loon Mountain Resort with the Kancamagus Highway. The bridge partially collapsed several days after suffering damage from Irene. A Bailey-style bridge will allow for foot traffic and a bridge and road to Loon's South Peak will also provide access to the Highland Games.
Bald said all state parks have reopened. According to Bald, the Dry River Campground in the White Mountains along Route 302 was the park that received the most damage but "otherwise parks are in good shape."
Wagner said Forest Service analysis found major roads, bridges, campgrounds and day-use sites were able to reopen after 780,000 acres were closed during the storm.
Visitors can get information about road conditions and road closures by calling 211 or visiting http://www.nh.gov/dot/511/index.htm.
16 Sep, 2011--
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