What is the RAISE Manchester project?

RAISE Manchester is a $30 million investment in making Manchester’s Downtown and Millyard transportation and pedestrian corridors safer, more walkable, bikeable and less congested, while creating opportunities for future growth. Between four projects, which all work in tandem with one another, sections of the city that are today cut off from one another will be reconnected east to west and north to south.

What are the four main components of the RAISE Manchester project?

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 new roadway connector and multimodal bridge called “Gas Street Extension” between where South Commercial Street Extension meets Elm Street that will cross over the abandoned railroad right-of-way to Willow Street. In conjunction, the city will convert the railroad right-of-way to a paved rail trail for bicycle and pedestrian use. 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. See more details here .

What are the overall benefits of the RAISE Manchester project?

The overall benefits of the RAISE Manchester project include enhanced mobility, reduced traffic congestion, increased safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, decreased transportation costs, more access for public safety vehicles, greater connectivity between different city districts, expanded access to job opportunities, more opportunities for traditionally underserved communities, improved walkability and placemaking and new opportunities for economic development. It will also fill key gaps in the Granite State Rail Trail.

In what ways will RAISE Manchester cultivate economic development in the city?

This transportation infrastructure will lay the groundwork for Manchester’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan, which will include new building construction and the redevelopment of existing buildings to create 785,000 square feet of office space, 198,000 square feet of retail space, 1,802 Residential units and 154 hotel rooms. The overall opportunity represents 2.9 million square feet total gross floor area at 60% build-out, and a $588.7 million total development value.

What are the benefits of the Granite Street Pedestrian Bridge?

The benefits of the Granite Street Pedestrian Bridge include improved safety for pedestrians crossing seven lanes of dense urban traffic, safer access to places of employment, like SNHU or WMUR, events like Fisher Cats stadium and the SNHU Arena, and the Hilton Garden Inn hotel. It will feature fully accessible ramp access, improved signal operations and reduced emissions from idling vehicles. Pedestrian traffic at this intersection is steadily increasing to about 600 people per day, according to a recent study. See more details here .

What are the benefits of the South Commercial Street Extension?

The benefits of the South Commercial Street Extension include a major reconnection between the east and west sides of the active CSX rail line with a multi-modal bridge for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. This will reduce traffic congestion on Granite Street, including the Interstate 293 interchange, during peak hours and will avoid gridlock caused by train crossings. The additional egress will cut emergency response times to the South Millyard, provide greater access to transportation options for traditionally underserved communities, enhance the value of approximately 5.4 million square feet of underutilized parcels and install modern, nature-based stormwater infrastructure. See more details here .

What are the benefits of the Gas Street Extension?

The benefits of the Gas Street Extension include additional traffic flow alternatives that connect Downtown and the Millyard to South Willow Street with construction of a bridge over the abandoned railroad corridor, and improved flow from interconnected traffic signals on Elm Street. It will clean up a fallow section of abandoned rail, which has become a hidden zone of undesirable behavior, and pave the rail trail path for pedestrians and bicyclists to enjoy. This 0.68 miles of rail trail will be a key piece in completing the 120-mile Granite State Rail Trail from Lebanon to Salem. See more details here .

What are the benefits of the South Willow/Queen City Intersection?

The benefits of the South Willow/Queen City Intersection include improved safety from reduced speeds, improved freight operations from eliminating signal delay, reduced emissions from idling vehicles and additional bike lanes and sidewalks. Currently there are no pedestrian crossings at this intersection. See more details here .

When is the project scheduled to be designed, permitted and constructed?

The final design and permitting process began in late 2023 for all four project elements. The design of each project element is scheduled for completion by September 2024, at which time the project will be ready for construction bid solicitation. All construction will be completed by September 2029.

How much will the project cost and who is paying for it?

The United States Department of Transportation awarded the city a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant of $25 million for this project. The City of Manchester is also committing $5 million to the project’s final design and construction.

FAQs Archive - RAISE Manchester

What is the RAISE Manchester project?
Published On: February 28th, 2016
Publication: RAISE Manchester is a $30 million investment in making Manchester’s Downtown and Millyard transportation and pedestrian corridors safer, more walkable, bikeable and less congested, while creating opportunities for future growth. Between four projects, which all work in tandem with one another, sections of the city that are today cut off from one another will be […]
What are the four main components of the RAISE Manchester project?
Published On: February 28th, 2016
Publication: 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, […]
What are the overall benefits of the RAISE Manchester project?
Published On: February 28th, 2016
Publication: The overall benefits of the RAISE Manchester project include enhanced mobility, reduced traffic congestion, increased safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, decreased transportation costs, more access for public safety vehicles, greater connectivity between different city districts, expanded access to job opportunities, more opportunities for traditionally underserved communities, improved walkability and placemaking and new opportunities for […]
In what ways will RAISE Manchester cultivate economic development in the city?
Published On: February 28th, 2016
Publication: This transportation infrastructure will lay the groundwork for Manchester’s Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Plan, which will include new building construction and the redevelopment of existing buildings to create 785,000 square feet of office space, 198,000 square feet of retail space, 1,802 Residential units and 154 hotel rooms. The overall opportunity represents 2.9 million square feet total […]
What are the benefits of the Granite Street Pedestrian Bridge?
Published On: February 28th, 2016
Publication: The benefits of the Granite Street Pedestrian Bridge include improved safety for pedestrians crossing seven lanes of dense urban traffic, safer access to places of employment, like SNHU or WMUR, events like Fisher Cats stadium and the SNHU Arena, and the Hilton Garden Inn hotel. It will feature fully accessible ramp access, improved signal operations […]
What are the benefits of the South Commercial Street Extension?
Published On: November 17th, 2022
Publication: The benefits of the South Commercial Street Extension include a major reconnection between the east and west sides of the active CSX rail line with a multi-modal bridge for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. This will reduce traffic congestion on Granite Street, including the Interstate 293 interchange, during peak hours and will avoid gridlock caused by […]
What are the benefits of the Gas Street Extension?
Published On: November 17th, 2022
Publication: The benefits of the Gas Street Extension include additional traffic flow alternatives that connect Downtown and the Millyard to South Willow Street with construction of a bridge over the abandoned railroad corridor, and improved flow from interconnected traffic signals on Elm Street. It will clean up a fallow section of abandoned rail, which has become […]
What are the benefits of the South Willow/Queen City Intersection?
Published On: November 17th, 2022
Publication: The benefits of the South Willow/Queen City Intersection include improved safety from reduced speeds, improved freight operations from eliminating signal delay, reduced emissions from idling vehicles and additional bike lanes and sidewalks. Currently there are no pedestrian crossings at this intersection. See more details here.
When is the project scheduled to be designed, permitted and constructed?
Published On: November 17th, 2022
Publication: The final design and permitting process began in late 2023 for all four project elements. The design of each project element is scheduled for completion by September 2024, at which time the project will be ready for construction bid solicitation. All construction will be completed by September 2029.
How much will the project cost and who is paying for it?
Published On: November 17th, 2022
Publication: The United States Department of Transportation awarded the city a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant of $25 million for this project. The City of Manchester is also committing $5 million to the project’s final design and construction.

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