Bill Text - SB580 (2024)

(New Title) authorizing the sale of toll credits to fund a newly established noise barrier construction fund for the design and construction of noise barrier projects.

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Revision: Dec. 20, 2023, 10:15 a.m.

SB 580-FN - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2024 SESSION

24-3093

11/06

 

SENATE BILL 580-FN

 

AN ACT relative to establishing a noise barrier on Teaberry Lane, Bedford, NH.

 

SPONSORS: Sen. Ricciardi, Dist 9; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Sen. Chandley, Dist 11; Rep. Gorski, Hills. 2; Rep. Rombeau, Hills. 2

 

COMMITTEE: Transportation

 

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ANALYSIS

 

This bill mandates the construction of a noise barrier on Teaberry Lane, Bedford, NH.

 

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-3093

11/06

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to establishing a noise barrier on Teaberry Lane, Bedford, NH.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  Noise Barrier Construction for Teaberry Lane, Bedford, NH.  There shall be a noise barrier constructed on Teaberry Lane in Bedford, NH.

2  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect upon its passage.

 

LBA

24-3093

Revised 12/20/23

 

SB 580-FN- FISCAL NOTE

AS INTRODUCED

 

AN ACT relative to establishing a noise barrier on Teaberry Lane, Bedford, NH.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:      [ X ] State              [    ] County               [    ] Local              [    ] None

Estimated State Impact - Increase / (Decrease)
		FY 2024	FY 2025		FY 2026	FY 2027
Revenue		$0	$0		$0	$0
Revenue Fund(s)		None
Expenditures		$0	$3,600,000
Funding Source(s)		Turnpike Fund
Appropriations		$0	$0		$0	$0
Funding Source(s)		None
• Does this bill provide sufficient funding to cover estimated expenditures? [X] No • Does this bill authorize new positions to implement this bill? [X] N/A

 

METHODOLOGY:

This bill requires the construction of a noise barrier on Teaberry Lane in Bedford, NH. The Department of Transportation states approximately $3,600,000 is required from the Bureau of Turnpike Capital Program for the engineering and construction (based upon recent bids and adjustments for inflation the Department’s standard noise barrier design is estimated to cost approximately $100 per square foot). It should be noted that this bill does not include an increase to existing funding for the Central New Hampshire Turnpike under RSA 237:2 (accounting unit 75070000) and it is unclear how much in each fiscal year would be expended to complete this project.

 

The Department has also provided the following additional information relative to this bill:

• The Teaberry Lane neighborhood has been evaluated as part of the F.E. Everett Turnpike Widening project (Nashua-Merrimack-Bedford 13761) noise analysis.  Assessment at this location encompassed the neighborhoods of County Road, Teaberry Lane, Heather Drive, Mulberry Lane, and Bayberry Court.  Land use in the noise analysis area is mainly residential development.  The 2016 and 2044 modeled peak hour noise levels do approach or exceed the noise abatement criteria (NAC) per the Department’s Noise Policy and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) regulations.  Using current policy parameters and modeling software, it was determined that a noise barrier at this location would reduce noise levels, providing benefit to nine (9) residences. A noise barrier would be located between the Turnpike and adjacent residences totaling approximately 36,010 s.f., resulting in an effectiveness calculation of 4,001 s.f. per benefitted residence, which exceeds the 1,500 s.f. effectiveness criteria by a factor of more than 2.5.  
• Previously, as part of the Manchester Airport Access Road improvements, Teaberry Lane was evaluated during the preparation of the Airport Access Road Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). At that time the Noise Policy utilized slightly different justification parameters than are currently in place, however the results were consistent with the more recent findings that a noise barrier would not be effective in accordance with the Department’s policy and FHWA requirements.  
• Recent environmental impact investigations associated with the F.E. Everett Turnpike Widening project identified an extensive wetland system within the necessary footprint of the Teaberry Lane noise barrier. It is anticipated that construction of this noise barrier would impact a large portion of these wetlands. As such, environmental mitigation costs would likely be substantial and the ability to obtain the necessary permits to construct this noise barrier from the NH Department of Environmental Services and the US Army Corps of Engineers is questionable. The costs of any necessary environmental mitigation have not been included in the above estimate.  

 

AGENCIES CONTACTED:

Department of Transportation