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Conditions seem ideal today. There are currently three tracks open on the MRG: the track on the left is cleared for walkers, runners, and bikers. To its right, are the tracks of cross country skiers. The farthest track on the right has been used by someone with cleats on their boots. And the Great Pyrenees dog up ahead, seems to be blazing her own trail. (No stranger to snow, during World War II, Great Pyrenees dogs were used to bring supplies of artillery over the Pyrenees Mountains in between Spain and France.) She is in her element.

A good day to be out on the MRG!

Thanks to Joan McGovern for today’s photo – looking eastward from the overpass parking near APD.

Mascoma Falls from the bridge by the tunnel

Prior to the Mascoma River Greenway, there were few places in Lebanon from which one could appreciate the beauty of the Mascoma River. River views are one of the highlights of a walk or bike ride along the MRG.

Looking North from a bridge at the bend of the river

The otherwise hidden beauty behind the “Miracle Mile” shopping plaza!

Former dam area near the approach to Glen Road

(Thanks to Michael Townsend for these wonderful Fall photos!)

Longtime MRG bike enthusiast, Marie McCormick, with her son Bryce, October 2017

Bike and Learn, Thursday, September 28, 5-6 pm

Join City of Lebanon Pedestrian and Bicyclist Advisory Committee members on a fall ride on the Mascoma River Greenway. We’ll start and end at the farmers market at Colburn Park and ride on the greenway to Glen Road and back. Along the way we’ll be highlighting some current and planned efforts to improve ped/bike infrastructure in the city. All ages welcome – kids under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own bike and helmet. Please register in advance if you’d like to take part in this free event (maximum 12 participants). https://secure.rec1.com/NH/city-of-lebanon/catalog  (look under the “special events” category)

-Marie McCormick, City of Lebanon Pedestrian & Bicyclist Advisory Committee Member

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The above map is the current proposed extension of the Mascoma River Greenway from its current terminus at Glen Road to RT 12-A. Negotiations are ongoing; It is all contingent on NHDOT/Railroad agreement (which has been slowly progressing), Federal Surface Transportation Board approval for conversion of the rail to trail (still pending), and funding in the City’s upcoming Capital Improvement Plan deliberations.

CCBA Camp bikers at intersection of Mascoma/High/Mechanic and the MRG

Thursday’s Lebanon News had info on the NH Dept of Transportation Ten Year Plan for Lebanon – at least two plans will have an impact on the MRG:

*One plan concerns the proposed Rotary/Roundabout at the intersection of Mechanic/Mascoma/High Street and the MRG – a currently complicated and potentially dangerous intersection.

*Another concerns the extension of the MRG from the current terminus at Glen Road, across two railroad bridges, and into downtown West Lebanon and the Connecticut River.

NH Department of Transportation (NHDOT) Ten-Year Plan Public Hearing

The Governor’s Advisory Council on Intermodal Transportation (GACIT), along with Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington, will be taking public input on the proposed 10-Year Highway Plan on:

• Tuesday, September 12, 2023, 6:30pm, City Hall, Council Chambers, 51 N. Park Street, Lebanon.  

The purpose of this Public Hearing is to receive public comments/testimony on transportation projects and priorities included in the draft 2025-2034 Ten-Year Transportation Improvement Plan as recommended by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation.

Lebanon Transportation Project recommendations include NH 12A Bridge replacement over the railroad (13558A), Trues Brook Road Bridge over Bloods Brook (24221), NH 120 Bridge Replacement over NHRR (24222), Interstate 89 Exit 18/ NH 120 improvements (29612), Lebanon Municipal Airport (40564), Reconstruction of Mechanic Street/High Street/Mascoma Street Intersection (40794), Lahaye Drive (41366), US 4/Mechanic Street/Slayton Hill Intersection (42604), Interstate 89 bridge, NH 10 southbound ramp over the Mascoma River (43437), Interstate 89 bridge over Connecticut River (16148). 

Plan documents can be found on the NHDOT website.

There will be a 30 minute presentation and then 30 minutes for Community questions and input. 

The Valley News report this week indicates that 80% of the cost of the MRG Extension may be covered by the State.

MRG Extension Visioning Study