New Hampshire receives $20M to help rebuild storm-damaged Route 1A
Officials say funding part of effort to become more resilient
Officials say funding part of effort to become more resilient
Officials say funding part of effort to become more resilient
New Hampshire is getting more than $20 million in federal funding to help rebuild parts of Route 1A in North Hampton and Rye.
Officials said the funds are the beginning of what's expected to be a years-long investment to make the Seacoast more resilient.
Strong storm surges and powerful waves caused flooding and damage up and down New Hampshire's Seacoast this winter. Officials said it's a new normal for people living and working in the area, as the storms have become more frequent and severe in recent years.
"Some of the most significant ones were the Jan. 10 and 13 storms," said Rye police Chief Kevin Walsh. "The roads were completely flooded. There was nothing we could do. We just had to sit back, and we had to wait for the water to recede back."
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Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt announced Monday that the New Hampshire Department of Transportation is set to receive $20 million of bipartisan infrastructure money to build up resiliency along a stretch of Route 1A in North Hampton and Rye.
"Our infrastructure is not designed – whether it's rainfall events or wave action – to be resilient in these new 21st century climate challenges," Bhatt said. "And so, whether it's hardening the coastline, retreating in places, raising roads, I think there's this whole concept of resiliency that we're now looking at."
DOT Commissioner Bill Cass said the grant will fund the first of what's anticipated to be three phases of work as the state looks to rebuild revetments along the Seacoast. Members of New Hampshire's congressional delegation applauded the community for continuing to push for improvements.
"It's really good to see the community come together," said U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire. "They really advocated for this."
"Communities up and down New Hampshire's Seacoast have been dealing with storm events, understand their assets and their local infrastructure," said U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, D-New Hampshire. "So, this is just about matching their knowledge up with federal resources and with the ability of New Hampshire to apply for these funds. So, I think it's a big win for New Hampshire, but there's certainly more work to do."