Francestown plans to start construction to replace a bridge on Old County Road North in spring 2026, which will result in full closure of the road for eight to 12 weeks.
In a presentation to the Francestown Select Board July 21, Jaime French of Fuss & O’Neill Civil Engineers outlined the specifics of the project.
“This is a municipal project, but it is part of the NH DOT State Aid Bridge Program, which means the state will partially fund the project,” French said. “Because of that, we follow all NHDOT standard practices when it comes to design, permitting, construction, all of that.”
The bridge, which crosses Collins Brook, was flagged for repairs by the state in 2016 and is on the state’s “red list.” A temporary one-lane bridge is currently in place.
“The state recommended closing the bridge due to deterioration on the bottom of the bridge. There are large holes, and the water is going under the pipes instead of through them, which is really bad, ” French said. “It’s the condition of the pipes that is most critical.”
French said the proposed structure of the new bridge will be to have a 38-foot concrete frame, with a section of pavement, bridge rails and slopes of stone going to the brook. French said the new bridge will look very similar to a recent bridge replacement on Juniper Hill Road.
Old County Road North, which runs from Pleasant Pond Road in Francestown into Deering, will have to be closed while the bridge is under construction.
“We will be taking the temporary bridge down, and due to not being able to place the temporary bridge elsewhere, this will be a full replacement project,” French said. “We are currently finalizing permits and then will begin the bidding process. We estimate the project to begin the winter of 2025 and 2026, and that construction will start in the spring of 2026.”
Select Board Chair Charlie Pyle asked if construction would start after mud season or whenever the road is passable.
“The section in Deering sometimes becomes impassable,” Pyle said.
French confirmed the project would start after the road is passable, and said she would work with Francestown Road Agent Gary Paige to ensure minimal disruption to residents.
“The road will be posted ‘Residents Only’ during construction to prevent drivers from coming down the dead end road and ‘getting stuck,’” she said.
Town Administrator Jamie Pike said he will work with the post office on options for continued mail service during construction, as residents who live north of the bridge will temporarily be cut off from their mailboxes at the Francestown end of the road.