The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) announces the release of its Long Range Transportation Plan. The Long Range Plan outlines the broad strategic direction for the Department of Transportation over the next 20 years. It also articulates a future vision for New Hampshire in which transportation can play an active role to preserve the state's unique character and quality of life, enhance environmental quality, and promote sustainable economic development and land use.

The Plan's recommendations are centered on achieving four strategic outcomes:

• Unify Transportation Planning and Investment with Broader State Goals and Actions.
• Integrate Planning and Investment Decision-making across all Transportation Modes, Facilities and Services.
• Increase Investment in the Areas of Transportation Infrastructure Preservation and Maintenance, Travel Demand Management, and Travel Choices.
• Establish new, more effective Collaborative Partnerships to Better Leverage Resources and to Achieve Long Term Goals.

The Draft Plan went through a rigorous public review process in 2008, with many changes made to the Plan as a result of those comments. The Federal Highway Administration has determined that the Plan, as it stands now, meets the federal requirements for a Long Range Transportation Plan. Further public review and comment will likely result in additional improvements to the final document.

The Plan can be found online at http://www.nh.gov/dot/org/projectdevelopment/planning/lrtbp.htm.

Comments will be accepted through September 30, 2010. E-mail comments to: LRTPComments@dot.state.nh.us or submit them in writing to:

William Watson Jr, PE
Administrator, Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance
NH Department of Transportation
PO Box 483
Concord NH 03302-0483