Opinion: It’s time to look at Loudon Road

Tim Robson lives in Concord.

We were reminded again by Labor Day’s motorcycle crash on Loudon Road that the thoroughfare is extremely unsafe for vehicles and pedestrians. There have been two crash-related fatalities in the last 12 months and over 1,500 crashes in the last 10 years. Yes, that’s an average of over 150 crashes per year or about one every 2.5 days. Twenty-seven of these crashes involved pedestrians or cyclists, underscoring the immediate need to address transportation safety on this vital corridor.

The present moment marks a critical juncture for Loudon Road. The impending Steeplegate Mall redevelopment, Kiwanis/Riverfront Park Improvement Project, the urgent demand for housing, the updating of the City’s Master Plan, the I-93 Deck Park improvement initiative, and the increasing loss of Concord’s urban tree canopy all make it an opportune time to envision a different way to and through this section of Concord. It’s time to invest in the Heights by highlighting the rich history of the area and imagining how it can be revived as a hub of multimodal transportation to the benefit of residents, business owners and all who visit, work or play there.

Important community conversations are happening now, and the concerns ring loud and clear — local residents worry for their family’s safety in the area, and businesses worry about losing customers. Safety, livability, and economic development along the Loudon Road corridor are possible if businesses and citizens come together to work on shared goals. To advocate for solutions that work for everyone, we need many voices from all the important stakeholders to come together and imagine what could be!

Concord Greenspace is hosting opportunities to discuss possible solutions for Loudon Road. Meeting details are posted in Community Happenings in the Monitor. It’s your opportunity to learn about 4-to-3 road conversions, why they improve pedestrian and cyclist safety and maintain calm traffic flow without extending travel time.

Concord is at its best when we come together. Please join the conversation to develop a better, safer solution.