Charlestown Route 12 Repair Update – April 19, 2022

Dear Elected Officials for Charlestown, Walpole, and Claremont: 

Last Wednesday evening NHDOT Assistant Commissioner Bill Cass and Project Manager Jason Ayotte attended the Charlestown Selectboard meeting.  Jason Ayotte presented an overview on the Charlestown Rt. 12 repairs:  what caused the road closure, the prior plan, why the prior plan was not workable, and the plan going forward.  Assistant Commissioner Cass and Project Manager Ayotte answered a variety of questions, including the location of drainage, availability of materials, and the construction schedule. 

We do not believe it would be safe for public use of the road during construction and it would hinder the work.  However, at the request of the Police Chief, the Department and contractor will provide emergency access for emergency vehicles during off-hours of construction.

The immediate repair is underway. The contractor, Casella, has remobilized and ordered the necessary materials, with some materials being delivered to the site last week.  Casella was back on site and working yesterday, April 18, 2022.  It is anticipated the work will take 6 weeks.  With no weather delays, the road should be reopened by the end of May 2022.  

As previously stated, the immediate repair is an interim, subject to the same conditions and issues that cause the road to be closed.  Additional drainage work is planned, which will improve conditions to some degree.  DOT will continue to monitor the roadway while the alternatives analysis is being done to determine a long-term solution. This long-term solution will be the future Ten Year Plan project.

In the meantime, I will continue to send updates.  Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.

My Best,

Kathy

Kathleen Mulcahey-Hampson

Legislative Liaison

Senior Hearings Examiner, NHDOT