Want to know how updates to Route 108 might affect your next move in Somersworth? You are not alone. When a key corridor changes, commute times, neighborhood feel, and even buyer demand can shift. In this guide, you will learn what is planned on NH 108, the likely housing impacts, and practical steps you can take as a buyer or seller. Let’s dive in.
What is planned on NH 108
NH DOT is studying about five miles of NH 108 through Dover, Somersworth, and Rochester with a Complete Streets approach that balances drivers, people walking, biking, and using transit. Concepts include safer intersections, potential roundabouts or signal improvements, consistent shoulders and sidewalks, and formal COAST bus stops. You can follow the project overview and materials on the official project site at the NH Route 108 Tri-City Complete Streets page.
Timeline at a glance
- Preliminary engineering and environmental work is shown through 2024 on the project schedule.
- A public hearing and final design are projected through 2026.
- Construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2027, depending on funding and permits.
Check the posted project schedule for updates as dates can change.
How decisions are made
Design choices will follow NH DOT’s standard process: develop and evaluate alternatives, hold a public hearing, complete final design, secure any needed right of way or easements, then permit and construct. The extent of widening and any property impacts will depend on traffic analysis and the selected alternative. See the project process details for how this works.
Why street upgrades influence housing demand
Research on Complete Streets projects shows they often improve safety and can boost walking, biking, transit use, and nearby economic activity. In many communities, these upgrades have been associated with property value gains and local investment, though results vary by place. For a national overview, see this guide from Smart Growth America.
Here are common ways corridor improvements can affect demand:
- Reduced and more reliable commute times can make Somersworth more attractive to regional commuters.
- Better sidewalks, crossings, and formal transit stops broaden appeal to buyers who value walkability and bus access.
- Safer, cleaner streetscapes can help nearby businesses thrive, which can raise neighborhood amenity value.
- Public investment can signal confidence and spur redevelopment of underused sites.
Context matters. Some widenings that elevate speeds without strong pedestrian elements can limit benefits for homes next to the corridor, and noise or visibility can be a tradeoff. Planning research covers these mixed effects in more detail in this article, and potential drawbacks are discussed in this transportation research summary.
What this could mean in Somersworth
Below are plausible scenarios based on the current project scope and local planning context. These are not predictions, but they can help you plan.
Scenario A: Complete Streets with moderate widening
- Short term: expect construction-period detours and slower travel near work zones. NH DOT typically phases work to manage access and disruption.
- Medium term: safer intersections, new sidewalks, and more usable bus stops could draw more foot traffic to improved segments.
- Housing impact: homes within a short walk of upgraded crossings, sidewalks, or formal bus stops may see stronger demand relative to similar homes elsewhere in town. Studies in other markets have found premiums for very walkable corridors, though the size varies by place.
Scenario B: Capacity-first widening with limited pedestrian improvements
- If designs focus on vehicle throughput and higher speeds with limited pedestrian upgrades, the corridor may stay auto oriented.
- Nearby homes might see smaller benefits, and in some cases noise and exposure can offset access gains.
- Citywide demand could still improve slightly if travel times are more reliable, but the local premium near the corridor would likely be modest.
Scenario C: More extensive right of way needs
- If the chosen alternative requires notable right of way, specific properties could be affected during acquisition.
- Over the long term, improved access may still benefit the broader market, but outcomes would be uneven and depend on the final design.
Practical steps for buyers and sellers
For buyers
- Map proximity to upgrades: look for listings near segments where sidewalks, crossings, or formal bus stops are likely to improve based on the project concepts. COAST service runs on NH 108, and the project is studying formalized stops that could improve usability. Check current routes on COAST.
- Check noise and traffic at peak times: visit a property during rush hour and early evening to gauge real conditions and privacy. Research notes that high speeds and volumes can reduce nearby residential appeal in some cases. See the transportation research summary on potential tradeoffs.
- Think about your time horizon: construction can be inconvenient in the short term, while benefits often show up a year or more after completion.
For sellers
- Highlight access improvements as they come online: reference safer crossings, sidewalks, and transit access in your listing copy once they are confirmed or built. Avoid promising specific features before final plans are approved.
- Prepare for showings during construction: keep driveways and walkways clear, add clear directions for visitors, and maintain curb appeal to offset nearby work.
- Price strategy: if your home is within easy reach of new pedestrian or transit amenities, position that proximity as a differentiator.
Keep an eye on zoning
Somersworth is reviewing housing and land use rules that could enable more infill and missing-middle options near transit corridors. Follow the Strafford Regional Planning Commission’s Somersworth work on the housing chapter and land use audit, and check the City’s planning page for updates such as the Master Plan survey. Zoning changes can materially shift supply and demand along NH 108.
How to stay informed
- NH Route 108 Tri-City Complete Streets project site for concept maps, meeting notices, and the latest schedule.
- The posted schedule and public hearing updates for timing changes.
- Somersworth Planning Office and City meeting agendas for local decisions and construction notices.
- Strafford Regional Planning Commission for corridor and housing context.
- COAST for route and stop updates tied to NH 108.
Ready to create a street-by-street plan for your next move? Reach out to Nola & Associates for local guidance and a tailored strategy.
FAQs
What will change on Route 108 in Somersworth, and when?
- NH DOT is evaluating safety and mobility upgrades like improved intersections, sidewalks, and formal bus stops along a five-mile stretch. Preliminary design was shown through 2024, with a public hearing and final design through 2026 and construction anticipated to begin in summer 2027, subject to funding and permits. See the project schedule and overview.
Will construction make my commute worse on NH 108?
- Expect temporary detours and slower travel near active work zones. NH DOT typically phases construction to manage access, signs detours, and restores normal patterns as sections finish. Check City and NH DOT notices as construction approaches.
Will my home value go up if NH 108 is improved?
- Many Complete Streets projects have been associated with safety gains, higher foot traffic, and localized property value increases, but results are site specific. Local data and comparables are key. For national context, review Smart Growth America’s guide and this planning research.
Are there risks like right of way takings or affordability pressures?
- Right of way needs are evaluated during design and used only as necessary. Short-term disruption is possible, and localized price increases can raise affordability concerns. Learn how NH DOT evaluates alternatives in the project process.
How can I stay updated on NH 108 decisions and changes?
- Follow the NH Route 108 Tri-City Complete Streets project site for official updates, check Somersworth Planning Office pages for local actions, review SRPC’s project materials for policy context, and watch COAST for transit updates.
