Project Overview
The RAISE Manchester project is an ambitious transportation infrastructure improvement plan that spans the city’s Downtown, Millyard and South Commercial District. It is comprised of four main components, each designed to improve connectivity, enhance traffic flow and safety and fill gaps in the area’s pedestrian and alternative transportation options.
In November 2021, Manchester won a $25 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant to fund this project. In addition, the city is supporting the project with $5 million.
The four main components of RAISE Manchester: Connecting Communities are:
- A new pedestrian bridge over Granite Street to connect Commercial and South Commercial streets.
- A new roadway called “South Commercial Street Extension” and multimodal bridge over the CSX railroad tracks behind the Delta Dental Stadium to improve the connection between the east and west sides of the tracks, alleviate traffic congestion on Granite Street during peak times and provide alternative access to Elm Street. This will also include a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians.
- A paved rail trail for bicycle and pedestrian use called Central Manchester Rail Trail that will extend northerly for 0.68 miles from where the current South Manchester Rail Trail terminates at Queen City Ave., establishing a central intersection for some of the state’s longest rail trails, such as the southern half of the Granite State Rail Trail, the east-west Rockingham Recreational Trail and the Piscataquog Rail Trail.
- A “peanut roundabout” at the South Willow Street and Queen City Avenue intersection, replacing a signalized intersection, to improve mobility and safety at this location.
