NH DOT Awards Franklin $512,000 Transportation Alternatives Program Funds for Mill City Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AWARDS FRANKLIN $512,000 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES PROGRAM FUNDS FOR MILL CITY PARK

(Franklin – January 25, 2019) The City of Franklin has been awarded $512,000 transportation alternatives program (TAP) funds by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation to construct a pedestrian walkway on its existing trestle view bridge to connect Mill City Park to the base of the Winnipesaukee River Trail. TAP provides funding for alternative transportation projects such as on/off road pedestrian and bicycle facilities, rail trail improvements and safe routes to school’s projects.

“Anyone who has been through Franklin’s downtown has seen this iconic trestle view bridge. It stands large and proud over the Winnipesaukee River located at the entrance of the main downtown area”, states Judie Milner, Franklin City Manager. “It is a vital piece of Franklin’s history and I am thrilled to partner with New Hampshire Department of Transportation in order to preserve and repurpose the bridge as part of the City’s revitalization effort. “

“As Sonny and Cher would say, “The Beat Goes On” for the City of Franklin’s Revitalization.  This award clearly builds upon our efforts to expand outdoor recreation in our community.  But more importantly, being selected through a highly competitive selection process substantiates the foresight and professionalism of our outstanding economic development team.  Undoubtedly, when completed this project will have an enormously positive financial impact to our great City and the entire region” , says Mayor Tony Giunta.

Mill City Park is a public private partnership reinventing the City utilizing the Three Rivers City’s original economic engine, the rivers. The park, free to the public, will consist of both a land component and proposed white water kayaking park on the Winnipesaukee River. Construction on some of the land portions are expected to begin this year and will include a community garden, pavilion, mountain bike pump track, trails and camping. Engineering, design and permitting of the white-water park is well underway. “The TAP funding will provide structural shoring for the safe access from the land portion of the park to Central Street while preserving another piece of history in Franklin’s downtown” states Marty Parichand, Executive Director of Mill City Park.

The award is subject to Governor and Council approval.