Interstate 293 New Hampshire

Overview

Interstate 293 encircles Manchester west of I-93 and north of NH 101 from the town of Bedford. The freeway diverts traffic from Interstate 93, U.S. 3, and the F.E. Everett Turnpike alongside the Merrimack River and Downtown Manchester.

History

The F.E. Everett Turnpike portion of Interstate 293 opened from NH 101 north to NH 3A (Queen City Avenue) in August 1955. I-293 between Queen City Avenue and the turnpike mainline along Interstate 93 followed with completion during August 1957 (Anderson, n.d.a).

The New Hampshire Department of Public Works and Highways proposed numbering the Interstate route into the urban area of Manchester as I-193 to the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) on July 11, 1958. AASHO approved I-193 as the lone entry for the New Hampshire proposed urban Interstate numerology on November 10, 1958.

Interstate 193 was a spur extending west from I-93 to an interchange joining the F.E. Everett Turnpike with U.S. 3 (2nd Street) in Manchester. It opened in 1961 as part of the NH 101 upgrade planned between Manchester and the Seacoast.

The New Hampshire Department of Public Works and Highways requested to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on June 17, 1976 for the designation of an Interstate Loop around Manchester. The request focused on the addition of 5.4 miles of the F.E. Everett Turnpike from I-193 to the segment of I-93 under construction to the north of Manchester. The FHWA agreed that the route would be a logical addition to the Interstate System and that it was up to current standards. The route was approved under the provision of 23 U.S.C. 139(a) with the designation of Interstate 293 by August 9, 1976.

A previous application approved by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) on July 13, 1976 subject to FHWA concurrence requested the renumbering of I-193 to I-293:

It is proposed that, upon completion of I-93 (under construction) in the northeast section of Manchester, the designation of I-193 be changed to I-293 and the route be extended along the F.E. Everett Turnpike to its interchange with I-93. I-93 proceeds northerly along the F.E. Everett Turnpike as a toll facility.

The proposal would provide a complete loop of I-93 to I-93

Interstate 93 was completed to the east of Manchester in 1977. I-193 was renumbered as I-293 and the route extended north along the toll free portion of the Everett Turnpike through the city (Anderson, n.d.b).

North End  ‐ Hooksett, NH

North at

Interstate 293 parallels NH 3A (Front Street) and the Merrimack River closely from Downtown Manchester north to the merge with I-93. Photo by H.B. Elkins (06/01/13).

South at

One mile ahead of the split with the F.E. Everett Turnpike (Interstate 293) on I-93 south in the town of Hooksett. 10/06/14

North at

Interstate 93 northbound crosses the Merrimack River into the town of Hooksett ahead of both NH 3A and I-293 (F.E. Everett Turnpike) south. 10/06/14

North End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

at

Older diagrammatic sign for the I-93/293 split along the F.E. Everyett Turnpike southbound. This assembly was replaced by 2005. Photo by Dan Moraseski (10/00).

South End  ‐ Manchester, NH

South East at

I-293 south / NH 101 east advance to within a half mile of Interstate 93. The two overlap east from the F.E. Everett Turnpike at Bedford. Photo by Peter Johnson (09/28/19).

North at

A wide median separates the roadways along I-93 two miles ahead of the unnumbered exchange with I-293 north / NH 101 west. 08/21/21

South at

NH 101 westbound merges with Interstate 93 at a three-wye interchange (Exit 7). The two routes head south beyond ramps with Hanover Street and Candia Road to their separation at I-293 north. Photo by H.B. Elkins (05/31/13).

South End – Past Views

Past Views Gallery (Tap to Expand / Collapse Section)

South at

Former overheads at Huse Road for I-93 and the continuation of NH 101 north. Photo by Cullen Wassell (09/01).