Nashua Ward 3

Rep. Dave Smith reports that HB-1626 has been rewritten, and very large sections of the existing legislation were "lined out". A draft copy of the revised bill, provided by Dave, is attached to this article. Also attached is a draft amendment to be proposed by Rep. Smith.

The legislation has been retitled, "Authorizing agreements for public-private financing of road and bridge projects". It is no longer for a "bridge across the Merrimack River".

The bill will be introduced at a public hearing on Tuesday, January 22.  Please click on the link at left under "Upcoming Events" for further details. 

Here are the pertinent, and most important, changes:

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In Section 241:1, "Definitions", the following changes have been made:

V. All references to the "north bridge project" have been removed, and the wording now reads, "roadway or bridge projects utilizing public-private financing as defined in this chapter". ALL OTHER REFERENCES TO HENRI BURQUE, WIDENING OF ROADWAYS, 4 LANE ROADWAYS, AND A ***BRIDGE*** HAVE BEEN REMOVED!!!!

XII. All references to "north bridge project", roadways, Everett Turnpike, Route 102... ALL of it has been removed from this section. It now only defines a "Project" as "a roadway or bridge using public-private financing".

And, finally, 241:2, "Authority to Develop Projects" (yup, "North Bridge" was removed here, too):

I. The section on eminent domain was removed, but replaced with text allowing the state to take by eminent domain on behalf of the developer (er, "concessionaire") The non-compete clause is still there.

IV. The "north bridge" verbage was removed, and the section now reads, "This section shall specifically prohibit the extension of the existing Henri Burque Highway east of the current terminus at Concord Street in the city of Nashua for a bridge crossing over the Merrimack River."