The 12-mile stretch of the Everett Turnpike which will be widened to three lanes during the next nine years. Supplied by New Hampshire Department of Transportation

MERRIMACK – With construction underway since last year, state transportation officials recently updated residents on the nine-year project to widen 12 miles of the Everett Turnpike between Nashua and Bedford.

In addition to adding a third traffic lane to the highway, the $247 million project will also include replacing and repairing five bridges.

“It’s more than just widening,” said State Sen. Shannon Chandley during the Oct. 4 meeting at Merrimack Town Hall.

The locations of the bridges that are in need of being replaced or repaired include

Pennichuck Brook, Greeley Street and Continental Boulevard, Baboosic Brook, Wire Road and Baboosic Lake Road.

Wendy Johnson, project manager for the Department of Transportation, said that given the current traffic volume, drivers do not have ample space to safely change lanes, hence the need for a third lane.

“We need to improve mobility,” she said.

Johnson also said noise levels are being evaluated from exit 8 in Nashua to the Interstate 293 interchange in Bedford.

The section currently under construction begins just north of exit 12 and ends one mile south of the Bedford Toll Plaza.

Johnson said this part of the multi-phase project will add a third lane and replace the traffic median.

As of September, the northbound and southbound sides have been excavated with stormwater treatment facilities being installed.

Ditch line drainage work is expected to begin on both sides south of the Dumpling Brook culvert by the end of October.

On the southbound side, blasting will begin as well as the construction of a concrete noise barrier. Because the noise barrier will be concrete instead of wood, Johnson said it will likely remain in place for the next 75 years.

The largest section of the project has an estimated cost of $128.3 million and will focus on widening the four-and-a-half-mile stretch from Greeley Street and Continental Boulevard in Merrimack to just north of exit 12.

With construction slated to begin by the summer of 2025, this phase will modify the on- and off-ramps of exits 11 and 12 to comply with current regulations.

The bridge over Baboosic Brook will be widened to accommodate a third lane. There is also a proposal to improve the flow of Baboosic Brook and to provide a wildlife crossing as well.

In addition, six noise barriers will be installed along that part of the Turnpike.

Barring any delays in funding, the entire project is expected to be completed in 2031.