BY CHRIS QUARTARONE

Three different plans for emergency access to Bedford High School were presented to the community, each at a cost near $3 million.

Members of the community asked questions, voiced concerns and made recommendations to the Bedford School Board about three proposed access roads at its Oct. 29 public meeting.

Robin Bousa and Tony Grande of Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. of Bedford outlined the three options and gave a pros and cons list for each.  

Traffic concerns

The goal of the project, board members said, is to gain secondary access to the school for emergency reasons, which is required by the state. It will also help ease traffic congestion.

Bedford resident Linda Gould voiced concern over all three options. With the possible widening of Route 101, she felt it makes the road less friendly to bikers and pedestrians.

“I see a lot of people walking and biking along 101, and, once the high school is full, there will be even more people,” she said.

Grande said these issues will be looked at later on in the process.

“Once a preferred alternative is selected, we will look at pedestrian issues and develop a concept plan,” he said.   

Private property worries

Many residents asked about the town’s plans when it comes to gaining access to private property, which will occur in all three options.

School Board member David Sacks said they want to choose one option before starting conversations with land owners.

“We’ll be finding a balance between an effective solution and what the cost will be,” he said.

Costs

Grande gave updated estimates for the costs of each option after outlining each one.

Option 1 is listed to cost $3.7 million, Option 2 at $2.4 million and Option 3 is listed at $3.2 million.

All these figures do not include any right-of-way acquisition costs.

Option 1 calls for a driveway  on Wallace Road, just south of its intersection with Route 101 and slightly north of the County Road extension.

Option 1 also affects 12 properties, five of which require partial and permanent taking of land to accommodate the driveway, said Grande.

Option 2, a Chestnut Drive extension with a traffic light at Route 101, affects 11 properties,
including six requiring permanent taking and two being affected by an onsite circle, parking and access to the existing bank and businesses. This option slightly widens the road allowing for turning lanes from Wallace through Chestnut, then tapering off just short of Nashua Road.

Option 3, a light at Nashua Road at Route 101 with emergency access on Chestnut Drive,  also includes minor improvements at the intersection of Route 101 and Meetinghouse Road, and widening a uphill curve on Nashua Road.

To make room for the Chestnut Road emergency access and widening at Nashua Road, this option could affect seven parcels, two of which require permanent taking of land, said Grande