Interstate 293

Interstate 293 is an 11.18-mile (17.99 km) auxiliary Interstate Highway forming a southern and eastern bypass of Manchester, the largest city in New Hampshire. It connects the southern and northern segments of its parent route, I-93, while also providing a critical link to NH 101 and serving major commercial and industrial areas, including the Manchester–Boston Regional Airport. The highway is entirely maintained by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation and lies wholly within Hillsborough County.

Route description

Beginning at a complex directional interchange with I-93 and US 3 in southern Manchester, the highway travels northeast, crossing the Merrimack River on the Amoskeag Bridge. It passes near the historic Amoskeag Millyard before curving northward to intersect NH 101, a major east-west artery connecting to the Seacoast and Nashua. The route then proceeds north, running parallel to the Merrimack River and providing access to the Manchester–Boston Regional Airport and the Riverside Industrial Park. It passes the SNHU Arena and the Delta Dental Stadium before meeting its northern terminus at another major interchange with I-93 and US 3 near the border of Hooksett.

History

The corridor's origins lie in post-war planning for a Manchester bypass, with formal designations emerging in the 1960s as part of the expanding Interstate Highway System. Initial segments opened to traffic in the early 1970s, including the critical crossing of the Merrimack River. The route was officially designated as Interstate 293 in 1982, following the completion of its final segment and its acceptance into the federal system. Key construction projects included the building of the Amoskeag Bridge and the development of interchanges to serve growing suburban communities like Bedford and industrial zones. The highway's completion significantly altered traffic patterns around Manchester, relieving congestion on local streets such as South Willow Street and Brown Avenue.

Junction list

The entire route is in Hillsborough County. {| class="wikitable" |- ! Location ! mi ! km ! Destinations ! Notes |- | Manchester | 0.00 | 0.00 | I-93 south / US 3 south – Nashua, Boston | Southern terminus; southern end of US 3 concurrency; I-93 exit 5 |- | | 1.50 | 2.41 | NH 28 Byp. (Queen City Avenue) / South Willow Street | Interchange |- | | 2.80 | 4.51 | NH 101 – Bedford, Auburn, Seacoast | Interchange; I-293 exit 2 |- | | 4.20 | 6.76 | Goffs Falls Road / Harvey Road | Interchange; access to Manchester–Boston Regional Airport |- | | 5.70 | 9.17 | Second Street | Interchange; access to SNHU Arena |- | | 6.50 | 10.46 | Granite Street (NH 3A) | Interchange |- | Hooksett | 11.18 | 17.99 | I-93 north / US 3 north – Concord, White Mountains | Northern terminus; northern end of US 3 concurrency; I-93 exit 9N |}

Future

Long-term planning by the New Hampshire Department of Transportation has focused on managing increasing traffic volumes, particularly at the congested interchanges with I-93 in Manchester and Hooksett. Studies have evaluated potential operational improvements, including additional lanes and ramp metering, as part of broader corridor plans for the I-93 corridor from the Massachusetts state line to Concord. Proposals have also considered enhanced public transit access and infrastructure resilience in the face of climate change. The highway's role in supporting economic activity around the Manchester–Boston Regional Airport and the Riverside Industrial Park ensures it will remain a focus for state transportation investment.

Category:Interstate Highways in New Hampshire Category:Transportation in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire Category:Transportation in Manchester, New Hampshire