Rumble Strips on Route 28

[Hezman]

On June 13, 2016 I had sent an email to the NH DOT expressing my concern with the placement of recently installed edge-line rumble strips on Route 28 north of the Alton circle. I was surprised that the rationale for locating rumble strips over the white edge-line was concern for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists. This would give them a slight margin if a driver veered to the right of the travel line. While true, many drivers hug the white line, especially on curves to provide a margin of safety from oncoming vehicles. This is especially true in these days of distracted drivers. I was not alone and there were a number of complaints. Accordingly, the DOT advised they are taking the following four actions:

1. The centerline rumble strips south of the Alton traffic circle to
Hamwoods Road, where the majority of the width does not meet Department guidelines, will be removed – milled and paved in.
2. The edge line rumble stripes on the white line north of the circle will likewise be removed – milled and paved in. Future consideration to reinstalling rumble strips, further offset from the whiteline, will be made in conjunction with entire NH 28 corridor.
3. The centerline rumble strips north of traffic circle will remain. This is consistent with the rest of the NH 28 corridor of similar width and character.
4. We recognize the concern about passing zones and will consider eliminating/striping out passing zones in areas of particular receptors and with consensus from the community.