Town of Bedford Celebrates Completion of South River Road Project

The Town of Bedford celebrated the completion of the South River Road Project on Friday, July 29 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

The project was designed to enhance South River Road and its surrounding roads from Kilton Road to the Bedford/Manchester town line. Completed on time and within its $5 million budget, it increased capacity along South River Road, improved safety for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists and upgraded curbing, sidewalks and traffic signals.

Rick Sawyer, Bedford Town Manager, welcomed guests and noted he still remembers the day in 2010 when the town was told that this road corridor was going to be in failure unless changes were made. “This project has resulted in a dramatic improvement in safety,” he said. The Bedford Town Council adopted the South River Road Tax Financing District Development Plan in 2010 and voters overwhelmingly supported a bond for the project in 2011. Work on the project began in 2014.

Lori Sommer from the NH Department of Environmental Services called the project “a huge success story,” and praised the Town of Bedford for restoring the McQuesten Brook area off of Wathen Road, which is home to wildlife and brook trout.

NH State Senator Andy Sanborn recognized Town Engineer Jeff Foote and Severino Trucking for their work on the project and their ability to keep traffic moving during construction. “Good roads make for good opportunities for business, and that makes way for great jobs. I am incredibly proud and thankful to be part of this town.”

Bedford Town Council Chairwoman Kelleigh Murphy noted the physical improvements of the project, which will allow for continued growth, and the upgraded accessibility for pedestrians along South River Road who can now more easily get to area businesses.

Following these remarks, Murphy officially opened the road with a ribbon cutting, joined by Sawyer, Sommer, Sanborn, Foote and Mark Rainey of Severino Trucking and Construction.