Construction on Francestown’s Old County Road North bridge over Collins Brook is scheduled to begin June 2, 2027, with completion expected by the third week of August.
The bridge, currently restricted to a single lane via a temporary structure, was flagged by the state for repairs in 2016 and remains on New Hampshire’s municipal “red list.”
Old County Road North will close starting June 1, 2027, creating a 9.8-mile detour for residents who live north of the bridge. To reach the center of Francestown from north of the bridge, drivers will take a detour north to Skye Farm Road in Deering, then continue south on Wilson Hill Road in Francestown to reach the 2nd NH Turnpike and Francestown village.
The Francestown Select Board approved a $1,444,045 construction contract with Cold River Bridges on Aug. 24. The board also previously authorized $30,007 for engineers of record Fuss & O’Neill and $205,608 for Hoyle & Tanner to oversee construction engineering and inspection services.
Town Administrator Jamie Pike said construction was originally slated for the summer and fall of 2026, but delays in federal funding approval and a backlog in pre-stressed concrete supplies forced a postponement.
“The project had to be pushed out to Spring of 2027,” Pike said.
At an earlier Select Board meeting, Fuss & O’Neill engineer Jamie French noted that state officials had recommended closing the original crossing due to severe deterioration beneath the structure.
“There are large holes, and the water is going under the pipes instead of through them, which is really bad, ” French said at the meeting. “It’s the condition of the pipes that is most critical.”