Baboosic Greenway: Amherst North 03

Amherst North 03 is a segment of the Baboosic Greenway, centrally located within the Town of Amherst. Spanning approximately 6,153 linear feet, this section runs along the northern side of Amherst Street, also designated as New Hampshire Route 122. The route originates at the terminus of Amherst North 02 and East 02 near Birch Park, proceeding southwestward until it connects with the completed Amherst West 01 segment, also referred to as the Amherst Street Sidepath, near the intersection of Boston Post Road.

Amherst North 03 segment traverses both state-managed and municipally managed roadways. The portion along NH Route 122 is under the jurisdiction of the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT), while the segment between Boston Post Road and Courthouse Road falls within the Town of Amherst’s urban compact area, managed by the municipality.

A photo of the NH 122, along the route of Amherst North 03

Location

This segment of the Baboosic Greenway is in the center of Amherst, just east of the Amherst Village Historic District, spanning 6,153 linear feet along Amherst St (NH 122). It starts in the west at the terminus of an existing 1.9-mile sidepath (Amherst West 01) on the western side of the intersection of Amherst St and Boston Post Rd and continues in a northeasterly manner along the northern side of Amherst St (NH 122) until it reaches the terminus of Amherst North 02 (NH DOT Ten Year Plan Project Amherst 42593).

Map of the proposed treatments and routing of Amherst North-03

Purpose

The purpose of the Amherst North 03 project is to construct a multimodal sidepath along the northern side of Amherst Street (NH 122) to bridge a significant gap in the town’s multimodal transportation network. This sidepath will connect four segments of the Baboosic Greenway—including one completed and one currently in development—along one of the highest-volume roadways in Amherst, a corridor that has historically experienced the highest instances of bicycle and pedestrian crashes in town.

By completing this segment, the project advances the mission of the Baboosic Greenway, which seeks to establish a regional spine for a broader off-road trail network. The goals of this network are to enhance safety, improve regional mobility, and expand accessibility for individuals who may not have access to motor vehicles. The construction of this connectivity-focused facility provides Amherst residents with the opportunity to traverse their town and surrounding areas off-road, significantly reducing interactions with motor vehicles. This sidepath offers a safer and more convenient route, particularly for vulnerable populations, who would otherwise be forced to navigate this busy and hazardous roadway.

Need

Amherst North 03 occupies a critical position within the Baboosic Greenway, acting as the linchpin for connecting multiple segments of the network. The completion of this segment is vital for forming a continuous, connectivity-focused trail system, as it directly links four other key segments. Without this connection, the various portions of the Greenway remain disjointed, limiting the overall effectiveness of the trail network and its ability to serve residents as a safe, multimodal transportation corridor.

This section of Amherst Street (NH 122) represents a significant gap in the Baboosic Greenway, and the urgency of filling this gap is increasing due to the development of four other multimodal infrastructure projects that converge in three areas around North 03:

• To the west is Amherst West 01, also known as the Amherst Street Sidepath. Completed in 2021, this 1.9-mile municipal sidepath extends the Baboosic Greenway from Amherst Village toward the Town of Milford. Efforts are underway to continue the sidepath into Milford, with the eventual goal of connecting to the Milford Oval.
• To the east is Amherst North 02, which is as of 2024 is advancing as part of the NHDOT Ten Year Plan under project Amherst 42593. Amherst North 02 directly connects to the Meeting Place Mall, which houses the local Post Office and other businesses, providing important access to commercial services. Beyond Amherst, this route extends into the neighboring towns of Bedford and Merrimack, further enhancing regional connectivity along the Greenway. Also located to the east is Amherst East 02, which will provide a shared-use path through Birch Park, linking popular community amenities such as the disc golf facility to the trail network and extending east toward County Road and Jasper Valley.
• To the south is Amherst South 01 intersects with Amherst North 03 at a midblock crossing across Amherst Street, just west of Beaver Brook. Amherst South 01 will then serve as a gateway to southern Amherst, connecting the rest of the Greenway to dozens of neighborhoods, Souhegan High School, and Amherst Middle School.

Map of the Amherst North 03 and how it connects to other segments of the Baboosic Greenway

By completing Amherst North 03, these four major projects will be linked, creating a cohesive and extensive trail network that enhances mobility for all users. This project has become a top priority for the Town of Amherst as it will significantly improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized travelers.

Moreover, Amherst Street (NH 122) carries an average of 8,043 vehicles per day, reflecting high vehicular volumes. This further underscores the need for a separated sidepath facility to protect non-motorized users from the hazards of high-traffic roadways, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing overall public safety.

Data

Calculating the data of this project, linear feet numbers of each treatment are provided below:

Project Status

The current status of Amherst North 03 is as follows: