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VitaBene · 03-26-2008, 05:04 PM

I am going to preface my comments by saying I love NH roads in general. I split my time pretty equally between MA and NH and can see the glaring differences in road management.

MA- Roads are in general a mess. Highway transitions at bridges are terrible. However, when MA repairs a road or if a town does with MA assistance then the repaired road has to meet the current standards which includes reworking the sub grade materials, side walks, specific curbing material, etc. What this means is when MA repairs a road, it is generally pretty good for 15 years. Example- I live off Rt 106 in Mansfield MA which was newly rebuilt 15 years ago when we moved in- it is just at the point where it will need to be topcoated but overall it is worn but OK.

NH- Roads in general are in good shape. Frostheaves are terrible usually. NH is into tourist road comfort. I get a kick out of the bump signs - when you cross the bump it is barely noticable. If you see one of those posted in MA your are entering the Grand Canyon. The philosophy in NH is that they would rather put a topcoat on a road every few years on more roads but are reluctant to rebuild roads to current standards. Personally I prefer this over the MA model. For examples here I would say Rt 104 which i believe was repaved 3 years ago in the fall. Rt 25B, which was repaved 2 summers ago but was as bad the following winter. Both settled back down once the frost was out.

All I know is that the frostheaves will settle down while leaving a little more "character" in the road for those of us who prefer casual motorcycle rides on NH's beautiful winding roads. In the meantime, as Penny said, perhaps we will be able to enjoy the scenery a bit more at our slower pace!

03-26-2008, 05:04 PM	#4
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,595 Thanks: 1,640 Thanked 1,641 Times in 844 Posts	I am going to preface my comments by saying I love NH roads in general. I split my time pretty equally between MA and NH and can see the glaring differences in road management. MA- Roads are in general a mess. Highway transitions at bridges are terrible. However, when MA repairs a road or if a town does with MA assistance then the repaired road has to meet the current standards which includes reworking the sub grade materials, side walks, specific curbing material, etc. What this means is when MA repairs a road, it is generally pretty good for 15 years. Example- I live off Rt 106 in Mansfield MA which was newly rebuilt 15 years ago when we moved in- it is just at the point where it will need to be topcoated but overall it is worn but OK. NH- Roads in general are in good shape. Frostheaves are terrible usually. NH is into tourist road comfort. I get a kick out of the bump signs - when you cross the bump it is barely noticable. If you see one of those posted in MA your are entering the Grand Canyon. The philosophy in NH is that they would rather put a topcoat on a road every few years on more roads but are reluctant to rebuild roads to current standards. Personally I prefer this over the MA model. For examples here I would say Rt 104 which i believe was repaved 3 years ago in the fall. Rt 25B, which was repaved 2 summers ago but was as bad the following winter. Both settled back down once the frost was out. All I know is that the frostheaves will settle down while leaving a little more "character" in the road for those of us who prefer casual motorcycle rides on NH's beautiful winding roads. In the meantime, as Penny said, perhaps we will be able to enjoy the scenery a bit more at our slower pace!