Petition Related to Exit 4A Access Road Construction and Related Granite State Rail Trail Tunnel
December 1, 2021

WHEREAS, the Granite State Rail Trail and the local portion of that trail known as the Derry Rail Trail have been a key part of the revitalization of Derry’s Downtown business environment and economy,

And WHEREAS, the Town of Derry Master Plan specifically calls for the completion of the Rail Trail connection NORTH to connect to Londonderry – and thereby to Manchester and other points north,

And WHERAS, the completion of this Northern connection will result in a significant increase in trail traffic coming into the Downtown Derry Business District, resulting in increased Economic Benefits to the business community, the town and the state,

And WHEREAS, the NH DOT in a recent PUBLIC MEETING about the Exit 4A Plan has indicated a MAJOR CHANGE to an alternative plan for the routing of the Rail Trail away from the Rail Corridor and removing a previously agreed to and planned tunnel,

And WHEREAS, Local and Statewide Rail Trail, Cycling and Pedestrian Advocacy organizations have agreed that this alternate plan is less than optimal and the original plan for the tunnel is preferred,

WE, the undersigned ,do hereby petition the State of NH Department of Transportation to reconsider the original tunnel plan on the rail corridor and to directly involve the Statewide Rail Trail Groups in the final design and planning for this tunnel and connections.