Fatal Crash Renews Push to Upgrade New Hampshire Bridge

A crash that killed two cyclists in Hampton, N.H., has sparked renewed interest in overhauling the Neil Underwood Bridge.

Nineteen-year-old Darriean Hess of Seabrook s is charged with two counts of negligent homicide and two counts of assault in connection with the crash last month that killed two cyclists from Massachusetts.

The Portsmouth Herald reports that participants in a regional planning meeting discussed the crash and their concerns about the bridge, which spans the Hampton River. State Sen. Nancy Stiles of Hampton said the crash showed that the bridge isn’t wide enough and suggested a study be done on the drawbridge to determine the best way to not only improve pedestrian and cyclist safety, but to curb traffic backups.