Auburn Ranked 18th of 54 Applicants for Trail Funding

The Town of Auburn has been notified it was ranked 18th of 54 communities throughout New Hampshire applying for funds available through the NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) that could establish a multi-use path along NH Route 121 from Eaton Hill Road to Shore Drive.

Although the Town scored well in the competitive Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) process, it was not approved for funding in the 2016 grant round.

The NHDOT had approximately $5.5 million available in funding for the TAP program in 2016. The grant applications submitted by the 54 municipalities totaled more than $25 million in requests.  The NHDOT was able to approve 12 projects for fundings in this procress.

Auburn's notice and the listing of the final ranking of all TAP Grant application submissions can be reviewed by clicking here.

The project submmitted by Auburn was a multi-use path that would provide a safe connection for walkers, bicyclists, hikers, runners, snowshoers and cross-country skiers from the center of Auburn to various trails leading around the lake and to other parts of the community.

As envisioned by Town officials, the multi-use path would not be connected to NH Route 121, but would be separated for the safety of the users of the path.  When the Town entered into the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Manchester Water Works in 2014, this potential project being located on MWW property was included as part of the agreement. 

Initial cost estimates suggest a total project cost of $679,176, with construction in 2018 or 2019.  Grant funds would cover 80% of the project costs ($543,340), while the Town would be responsible for the remaining $135,835. 

Town officials may re-submit the project for consideration in the next round of TAP funding which is anticipated in 2018.