Front, Linden, and Pine Street Intersection (Roundabout)

Project Type:

Street

Project Status:

Approved

The Public Works Department retained the services of a traffic consultant, VHB, who completed a town-wide intersection evaluation in July 2022, with a focus on four high-priority intersections, including the Pine/Front/Linden Street Intersection.

VHB’s evaluation noted several safety deficiencies at the Pine/Front/Linden Street Intersection resulting from its unique geometry, the large expanse of pavement, undefined travel paths, driver confusion, and the locations of existing crosswalks. A roundabout solution was recommended, and a concept was developed, aimed at improving intersection operation, providing for safer pedestrian crossings, and reducing vehicle conflicts and speeds.

--FUNDING--

The Front Street / Linden Street / Pine Street Roundabout Project has been funded over several years through a phased approach that has allowed the Town to advance the project from planning through construction. Initial Town Meeting appropriations in 2019 and 2022 funded traffic studies, preliminary engineering, and public outreach that identified a roundabout as the preferred solution for improving safety and traffic operations. In 2023, voters approved Article 5, authorizing the Town to raise and appropriate $798,000 for intersection improvements, including the Front Street / Linden Street / Pine Street intersection. This authorization provided funding for final design and construction of the roundabout. The Select Board subsequently awarded a $104,800 professional services contract to Vanasse Hangen Brustlin (VHB) to complete the final engineering, permitting, construction plans and specifications, cost estimates, and public outreach necessary to bid the project.

During final design, the Town identified aging sewer and drainage infrastructure within the project area that required replacement before construction of the new intersection. In response, voters approved 2025 Town Meeting Article 8, authorizing the use of $250,000 in excess 2021 bond proceeds to rehabilitate this critical infrastructure. Completing this work in advance of roadway construction will eliminate the need to excavate the completed roundabout for future utility repairs while improving the long-term reliability of the Town's underground infrastructure.

Following completion of the design, VHB prepared bid documents, advertised the project for bids, and reviewed the construction bids, recommending award to Baillargeon Construction. The Select Board awarded a construction contract totaling $765,290.25, including roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, sidewalks, landscaping, traffic control upgrades, and ornamental street lighting. At the time of award, $691,642.96 remained available from the 2023 Article 5 appropriation, which was insufficient to fund the construction contract, construction contingency, and construction engineering services. To fully fund the project, the Select Board supplemented the remaining 2023 appropriation with $96,000 in available Highway Block Grant Aid and $104,000 from the Sidewalk Capital Improvement Fund, allowing the project to proceed without additional borrowing. The Select Board also approved a $20,000 amendment to VHB's contract to provide construction administration and engineering support through project completion.

Status Updates

9/4/2026: Later this afternoon the Front, Linden & Pine Street Roundabout will be open.

The Front, Linden & Pine Street intersection will reopen to traffic later this afternoon. Construction signage and temporary traffic control devices will be removed as crews complete the final project items.

The Town thanks residents, businesses, and motorists for their patience and cooperation throughout construction. This new roundabout is designed to improve traffic flow, reduce delays, and enhance safety for all users traveling through the intersection.

Navigating the Roundabout

Motorists using the roundabout should:

Slow down as you approach the intersection.
Yield to traffic already circulating within the roundabout.
Enter when a safe gap is available.
Proceed to your desired exit without stopping in the roundabout.
Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists at designated crossings.

For additional information about roundabouts and how they operate, please refer to the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) resources below.

9/3/2026: Due to rain, paving operations could not be completed today. Weather permitting, crews anticipate placing the top coat of pavement and completing pavement markings tomorrow. The Front, Linden, and Pine Street intersection is now tentatively scheduled to reopen on Saturday, September 5th. We appreciate your continued patience as we complete the final stages of the project.

8/28/2026: The Front, Linden, and Pine Street Roundabout Project is approaching completion; however, due to a concrete additive shipping delay, the reopening of the intersection has been tentatively scheduled until Thursday, September 3rd (weather permitting).

Because Monday is the first day of school for the SAU 16 community, the revised reopening schedule has been communicated to school officials and local bus companies to support transportation planning and public safety.

To help ensure safe travel throughout the area:

Exeter Police officers will be present to assist with traffic management.
Crossing guards will be stationed in several locations to assist Lincoln Street School students and pedestrians.
Gill Street will remain open as a two-way roadway.
The construction closure area will be modified to allow traffic access up to Seminary Ln.
Motorists should continue to use the posted traffic detour routes.
Pedestrians will continue to be permitted through the area with the assistance of flaggers.
Drivers are encouraged to exercise extra caution, particularly on the first day of school, as children, students, parents, and school buses will be navigating adjusted traffic patterns and routes.

The Town appreciates the community's continued patience and understanding as the contractor completes this important infrastructure project.

8/20/2026: Construction work on the roundabout remains on schedule. As of this week, the intersection is still expected to reopen on the originally scheduled date of August 29, 2026. A project timeline is attached below.

8/14/2026: Work on the roundabout began on Thursday, August 6th with the closure of the intersection and implementation of the detour route. The top course of pavement and existing sidewalks within the project area were removed.

Friday, August 7th, the contractor began installation of the electrical conduit for the new lighting, and prepared the intersection for the installation of new vertical granite curbing. That work continued through the weekend. Consolidated Communications also transferred the remaining overhead utility wires to the relocated utility poles that were placed last year.

The week of August 10th, Until removed the abandoned utility poles within the project area. The contractor began and completed the installation of the new drainage structures. The majority of vertical granite curbing around the perimeter of the intersection has been installed. The splitter islands have been prepped for curbing installation.

The week of August 17th will include the installation of the granite curbing for the splitter islands and the roundabout apron.

8/4/2026: The contractor will be mobilizing road closure equipment and supplies in preparation of the road closure, beginning Thursday, August 6th. A detailed timeline of activities as been added below. We appreciate your patience and understanding as crews work to complete the roundabout.

7/29/2026: Beginning August 3rd, crews will install detour and traffic control signage throughout the project area. Road closures and detour routes will take effect on Thursday, August 6th. During construction, Gill Street will operate as a two-way street to help maintain local traffic circulation.
Project Schedule:
August 3rd: Detour signage installation begins
August 6th: Road closures and detours begin
Drainage improvements and roadway milling
Roundabout and traffic island construction
Final paving and pavement markings
August 29th: Anticipated reopening of roadways

7/14/2026: A Public Information meeting will be held at the Exeter Public Library on Tuesday, July 21st at 6:00 pm. The Town of Exeter invites residents, business owners, and community members to attend a public information meeting regarding the upcoming construction of the Front/Linden/Pine Street Intersection Improvement Project. It will be held in person only to allow project staff to answer questions directly. A recording of the presentation will be posted. Event details can be found in the link below.

5/7/2026: A request for bids has been published for constructing a roundabout. The project includes minor roadway reconstruction, closed drainage, curbing, electrical conduit, lighting foundations, light poles and fixtures, landscaping, traffic signage, pavement markings, temporary traffic control, and other associated work to facilitate construction. Bids are due June 1st.
12/11/2025: Work has been delayed due to the weather to next week December 15th-19th.
12/5/2025: ~~Beginning Monday, December 8th through December 12th~~, crews will be jetting and lining the sewer and storm drain lines at the intersection of Pine, Linden, and Front Streets. Traffic control will be in place during this work. Please avoid the area if possible, follow traffic control signals, as we prepare the intersection for construction next year.

10/7/2025: Public Works crews and contractors will be conducting an assessment of the sewer and drain lines in the intersection of Front, Linden, and Pine Streets on Wednesday, October 8th, between the hours of 8:00AM and 2:00PM. During this time, it may be necessary to temporarily redirect or stop traffic to ensure the safety of workers and motorists. Residents and drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible. Those who must travel through the intersection should proceed with caution and follow all posted instructions. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue efforts to improve this intersection and the surrounding infrastructure.

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