The Madbury Road Complete Streets Project in Durham, New Hampshire, which VHB supported as a key engineering partner, has received a 2026 Plan NH Merit Award of Excellence for its role in creating a safer, more connected, and more welcoming community corridor.
The 1.8-mile corridor links downtown Durham and the University of New Hampshire area with Route 4, while also serving local businesses, residential neighborhoods, and students traveling to nearby schools. With daily use by pedestrians, runners, cyclists, buses, and motorists, the project addressed aging roadway, sidewalk, drainage, utility, and pedestrian infrastructure that no longer reflected how the corridor functions today.
Rather than simply rebuilding the existing road, Durham advanced a Complete Streets vision that integrates roadway reconstruction, new and reconstructed sidewalks and multi-use paths, ADA and crossing improvements, traffic-calming islands and curb extensions, decorative lighting, landscaping and hardscape, upgraded stormwater treatment, and water and sewer infrastructure improvements.
Plan NH recognized the project as a comprehensive transformation of an important corridor. Jury comments highlighted pedestrian access improvements, accessibility upgrades, stronger neighborhood connections to downtown, and benefits to local businesses through better visibility and a more inviting streetscape.
VHB worked alongside the Town of Durham, NHDOT, CMA Engineers, and G.W. Brooks and Son, providing engineering, environmental, public involvement, permitting, and construction support services that helped advance the corridor’s Complete Streets vision. Early work also included culvert improvements and replacements funded through Clean Water State Revolving Funds administered by NHDES.
“The Madbury Road project reflects the kind of opportunity communities have when infrastructure investments are planned with the bigger picture in mind,” said Greg Bakos, Deputy Project Manager at VHB. “By pairing roadway, utility, stormwater, and accessibility improvements with safer multimodal connections, Durham is creating a corridor that better serves daily travel needs while supporting the town’s long-term vision for a more connected and resilient community.”
The multi-contract project is being delivered in stages, with the first major roadway segment substantially completed in 2025 and overall corridor completion anticipated in 2027. The northern end will also connect with planned NHDOT improvements at the Route 4 intersection, creating a more cohesive gateway into Durham.
For Durham, the Madbury Road Complete Streets Project shows how collaborative planning and design can help communities create infrastructure that supports transportation choice, economic vitality, and quality of life.
Learn more about VHB’s transportation planning and Complete Streets work.
