The saturation and shift under the roadway is pretty bad. This is going to be an actual tear out and rebuild job, right down to the underlying concrete slabs. Due this, there will probably not be an opportunity to open it to one way traffic during the construction. ~ Steve
I received this update from NHDOT:
“Regarding the closure of a portion of Route 12 in Charlestown, the Department has gathered sufficient data to draft a plan for repairs.
It is anticipated that the road will be repaired and open to the public around the end of November, 2021.The site is constrained by the railroad corridor, Connecticut River flood plain and wetlands, and utilities. The Department has been working closely with NHDES, FHWA, and the railroad to determine the requirements for roadway repair and funding available to assist in the efforts. Our data collection is nearly complete and alternatives to reduce impacts are being investigated. Reconstruction of the roadway is required to remove compromised soils and construct a stable repair for the roadway and railroad.
We are working diligently to prepare an emergency construction contract to bid and begin construction in early September. The work will include deep excavations, removal of the underlying concrete slabs, stabilization and strengthening of the slope, and replacement and repair of the pavement and drainage. Similarly, the Department is required to meet federal and state regulations in performing the work, and doing so in an expeditious manner. We are further evaluating the permitting and construction schedule, but estimate having the road open by Thanksgiving. ” ~ NHDOT
NH Route 12 Closed in Charlestown, NH Detour In Place While Roadway is Assessed.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announces the emergency closure of NH Route 12 in Charlestown, New Hampshire. Due to saturated soils from the recent heavy rains, sections of NH Route 12 have settled and will require further evaluation. NH Route 12 is now closed from the south at the intersection of NH Route 12A and NH Route 12. From the north, NH Route 12 is closed beginning at Almar Street.
While the roadway is closed, a signed detour will be in place. The detour will direct motorists to use U.S. Route 5 and Interstate Route 91 in Vermont. Signs and message boards will be placed to advise local traffic of the detour. Motorists are asked to follow all posted signs and to obey all traffic signals.
The evaluation process will take a few days. Until that work is complete, any estimates of the duration of the closure are premature and speculation. ~ Steve
Your local government officials and highway departments have been in contact with the state frequently. If they have not been communicating publicly much, it is because they are busy beyond normal capacities trying to shore up damaged roads and get roads open. They will continue until we reach a point of stability. Rebuilding is going to be a lengthy and expensive process. Initial expectations are that FEMA will reimburse 75% of costs, but this is just the initial estimate. I will work with the Legislature and Governor’s office to see if the gap can be covered or alleviated. NHDOT and Homeland Security will be reviewing damage this week with state officials on the ground, relaying imagery and conversations to federal officials remotely in real time. ~ Steve
NHHSEM Summary
July 29 Flooding Update: On Friday, July 30th HSEM staff contacted impacted communities in Cheshire, Sullivan and Grafton County’s to get their initial determination on what damages they incurred; many are still actively working on repairing roads, even today. HSEM is sending out the initial damage assessment paperwork for communities to document damages so we can determine thresholds for each county as well as the state. It is still too early to tell but based on pictures and stories we’ve heard, it is likely that Sullivan is significantly over their threshold. Due to the amount of damages and continued response mode they will have a couple of weeks to get us the paperwork to determine the thresholds and for HSEM to ask FEMA to come in for the next steps—like we are doing with Cheshire County for the July 18th storm. DOT crews have been out working, some since Thursday night, with the goal of providing emergency access in the hardest hit areas and free flowing access in the more isolated damage areas. They are out assisting again today and preparing for potential impacts tonight and will be have a busy week of more permanent repairs. ~ HSEM
Please be careful
Just because a road looks okay, does not mean that it has not been undermined. Please restrict travel on damaged roads to what is necessary. The urge to go tour the damage is natural, but we need to leave the crews alone to do their work, and not damage roads further. ~ Steve
Posting on Facebook is not notification.
I am seeing some posts about people who are still cut off from a useable road, including those who are in wheelchairs or have other medical issues. I can’t say this strongly enough.
I found those posts by accident. I could as easily have not seen them. If you know of a situation like this, please call or email your local emergency services or Selectboard. They are coordinating with state resources and we need this information tracked in one place so that these folks are not forgotten. If you have trouble getting through to any of them, email me at Steven.Smith@leg.state.nh.us and I will get it to the right place. ~ Steve
FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH LATE TONIGHT…
The National Weather Service in Gray has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for Portions of central and northern New Hampshire, including the following areas, in central New Hampshire, Sullivan. In northern New Hampshire, Northern Grafton and Southern Grafton.
* From this afternoon through late tonight.
* A wave of low pressure crosses New England tonight with showers and thunderstorms. Between a half and 1.5 inches of rain are expected, although localized amounts of 2-3 inches are possible with training cells and upslope enhancement.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
HSEM (RAC)
State of New Hampshire, Department of Safety
Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
NH State Representative Steven Smith 
You must be logged in to post a comment.