This letter is in response to the Forum letter from Erica Poitras (“Seeking update on Route 120 survey on congestion,” Sept. 11). This survey was conducted by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to help understand public priorities for transportation access and safety improvements along Route 120 in the vicinity of Exit 18 on Interstate 89. The feedback received will help inform the development of a transportation infrastructure improvement project in this location. Funding has been set aside in New Hampshire’s 10-year transportation improvement plan, with construction tentatively scheduled for 2024. There will be additional opportunities for public input as the project progresses toward a final design.
The purpose statement for this project is: “To improve the operations, mobility, and safety of the I-89 Exit 18 interchange and NH Route 120 corridor for all travel modes, including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and vehicle operators.” The project was originally identified by the city of Lebanon and the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission in response to a variety of transportation mobility and safety challenges in this location.
Interested residents can visit NHDOT’s project information page for more details: www.nh.gov/dot/projects/lebanon29612/.
ALEX BELENSZ
Lebanon
The writer is a planner with the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission.
After reading the front-page article “Virus politics run hot in NH” (Sept. 21), my wife suggested that our state license plate motto should be changed to: “Live Free and Die.”
DODD STACY
Etna
In reference to the Forum letter by Vermont Law School professor emeritus Stephen Dycus (“Vaccine mandate is constitutional,” Sept. 19), which cited the Supreme Court’s 1905 decision in Jacobson v. Massachusetts: I’d think even a constitutional law professor would recognize that judicial decisions deemed correct in one century might be understood as barbaric in a succeeding one.
SARAH CRYSL AKHTAR
Lebanon
As a huge proponent of Planned Parenthood, I was thrilled to read the comment by Catholic Bishop John Stowe, of Lexington, Ky., that abortion protesters “are uninterested in providing basic healthcare for pregnant mothers or needy children” and “are unconcerned about refugee children or those lacking quality education with no hope of escaping poverty …” (“Abortion opponents question tactical wisdom of Texas’ ban,” Sept. 17).
As the grieving mother of a gun victim, I ask the members of the same group, who respect the life of a fetus, why do they not respect the lives of all by supporting gun control?
SALLY PRINCE
New London
Thank you to the entire Upper Valley for “stuffing the truck” to overflowing!
The members of the Hanover Rotary Club are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support to benefit COVER Home Repair. So many generous people stopped by Hanover High School to donate their old tools that Rotary volunteers were able to completely fill the truck.
These tools will be sold, used or recycled by COVER, a local charity, to help with urgently needed repair projects for low-income homes in the greater Upper Valley. We sincerely appreciate the support of so many thoughtful and caring community members.
BRUCE ATWOOD
Hanover
GREG BAZYLEWICZ
Norwich
The writers are event co-chairs for the Hanover Rotary Club.