LYME — Town officials are exploring what to do with the now-closed portion of River Road once construction of a bypass through nearby farmland wraps up this summer.
Options for the roughly 600-foot section of scenic road, which was closed in 2015 because of structural concerns, include converting it to a recreational trail or giving it to abutting landowners, Selectboard Chairman Kevin Sahr said during a meeting last week.
The three-member Selectboard met with about 20 River Road residents on Thursday to collect input on the road’s future. Comments will be used to craft a proposal for Town Meeting in March, they said.
“We want to gather those folks’ ideas and thoughts,” Sahr told a packed room at Lyme’s town offices. “What you’re doing is you’re helping the Selectboard frame what most likely is going to be a warrant article.”
While most of those gathered supported opening the roadway to pedestrians, opinions differed on whether cyclists should be allowed onto any future trail. The discontinued road will see its pavement torn up as part of ongoing construction, potentially making it a difficult trek for road bikes.
The group also disagreed on whether a parking lot would better accommodate visitors.
“I would like to see a trail for it personally because I think it’s best for the public good,” said Lyme attorney and farmer Arend Tensen.
Following a lengthy legal battle, town officials and Tensen struck a deal to build the River Road bypass through 3.7 acres of his 52-acre parcel along the road. Rerouting the road was necessary because of erosion along the banks of the Connecticut River, officials said.
Tensen, who is to be given $87,500 for easements through his property, said on Thursday he is willing to donate some land on the south side of the road for a 6- to 10-car parking lot.
“If you look around River Road, cars are parking in different areas,” he said. “People like to walk along River Road. It’s a beautiful place, beautiful area.”
A parking lot to the south might work, but officials should ensure it remains far from homeowners, said River Road resident Terry Smith.
“Every car door that shuts, we’re very aware of,” he told the Selectboard.
Donald Graham, who owns property on the north side of the closed road, agreed and pressed the board to block traffic from accessing the old portion of road.
He also questioned whether bike access would be appropriate over a proposed trail.
“I think the necessity of a trail for bikers is unclear at this point. I think it’s premature,” he said, adding the bypass might provide a better surface for road bikes.
But people in Lyme and Hanover would like to see bike access on the old road, countered Harold Swartz, who gathered opinions from the town’s Listserv ahead of the meeting.
“I think people are concerned about having to use the (bypass). It’s very hard to see that that’s not going to be hazardous,” he said.
Lyme resident Erin Slingsby, who was cycling on River Road on Tuesday, said she hopes the road will be converted into a recreational trail, even if it’s just one that will allow people to continue walking along the river.
“It’s a great little spot,” she said, adding the nearby farms and water make for a picturesque commute. “But if it was a trail, then that would be awesome.”
Construction on the bypass is scheduled to be finished by the end of next month, Dina Cutting, the Selectboard’s administrative assistant said on Tuesday. She said town officials will now research the different classifications of road before devising a plan for the voters at Town Meeting.
Tim Camerato can be reached at tcamerato@vnews.com or 603-727-3223.
Clarification
Donald Graham is open to the conce p t of a trail on the old part of River Road in Lyme but said it is premature to determine whether road bikes should be allowed on it. An earlier photo caption with this story misstated his position. (This clarification has been updated).