After decades of debate, the Broad Street Parkway project will soon be a reality in Nashua.
Proponents say it will open the Millyard area for development and add a much-needed third crossing over the Nashua River.
The project is slated to be finished late next year and city officials are preparing residents for a bumpy road ahead.
At a community meeting Monday evening, Nashua resident Jay Ouelette looks over blueprints detailing the parkway’s path.
“It’s something they’ve been talking about for over the last 30 years, and now it’s seems like it’s going to be the real deal. We’ll see what develops over the next several months and how they’re going to put this all together in under a year.”
Ouellette says he’s most concerned about how construction will impact his neighborhood.
He says opinions remain divided about the need.
“Some people are like, it’s about time. Some people need to see it to believe it. And other people think it’s just a waste of money.”
Federal funding will cover a portion of the project’s roughly $64 million price tag.
Aldermen approved a $37 million bond in 2008 to cover the city’s share of the cost.
With major construction set to begin in the coming weeks, Mayor Donnalee Lozeau didn’t sugarcoat it for the more than 100 residents who turned out.
“This is going to be disruptive. There’s no way around it. But if we can mitigate it and get your questions answered and have you know what to expect, we hope that we can make it a little bit easier for you.”
Lozeau says officials are exploring relocating the city's skate park as part of the project.
She says the new spot would be more visible than the current location near the city's border with Hudson.
