Which roads have the worst frost heaves?

JL Girl · 03-10-2010, 04:53 PM

I ask this question on the Forum every year or so. Thought this year's reached a new low (or is it high?!!) I have 4 questions for you:

1. Which roads have the worst frost heaves, valleys, pot holes and torn-up- centers-of-the-roads? My personal answer is the bottom 1/4 of the Moultonborough Neck Road (some ways after Jojo's and before Trexler's) and Long Island Road. I've noticed everyone doing what I do - traveling on the far right of the road and on the pathway. You can't do any more than 20 mph or else, although there are always jerks who do (and do they bounce up in the air or what?!!! So glad they care about their car or truck). My mechanic said he drives over these roads and has never seen them this bad and he has a truck (better suspension than a car?)
2. Which of the 4 conditions above do you hate the worst? I personally fear the unepxectedly deeper valleys right after the heaves.
3. Has anybody noticed the NH DOT trucks doing cold patch? They just did a bunch on this bad section I mentioned but there's no rhyme or reason as to why they did certain valleys and not others - even to one immediately adjacent to the "done" one - and it's the same heighth or depth! I had heard that they stick a ruler down into the "valley" and if it doesn't meet the minimum to have cold patch, it doesn't get it.
4. Is it me or has (within the past couple of days) there been a slight improvement in the roads such that the road is sinking back into its pre-winter state?

One good thing about the frost heaves, etc. and having to go slower is that you are easily able to spot the deer (especially at the top of Long Island Road first hill after the Town Beach) that seem to like hanging around in the road. One day around 4:30 pm, I came across 4 deer in the road - they stood and watched me, then 2 ran to the left and 2 to the right. Something told me not to move forward - yup, sure enough, the ones on the left ran across to the right hand side of the road and the other 2 on the right ran to the left side. Again, I didn't move. Yup, the ones on the right ran over to the left. I waited a few minutes then started up very slowly. I looked into the trees when I went by, and there they all were, each standing behind a tree with only their heads peeking around the tree. Thought of Robert DeNiro: "Hey, you looking at me?!!!!"

DickR · 03-10-2010, 05:13 PM

I agree with you on the lower neck road condition. I try to avoid the potholes and worst of the bumps. They are quite effective as speed bumps. As far as the deer hanging around the road at the top of the road up from the beach, earlier this winter I had one run into the side of the car on me right up there. I never saw him until I heard the thump. He made a small dent, and it must have given him an Excedrin headache too. He ran off; no body to report. I can't figure out why there are so many deer on LI. If all deer are so stupid as to run across the street smack into a moving car all lit up for night driving, why hasn't the Darwin effect limited their numbers?

WakeboardMom · 03-10-2010, 05:24 PM

On the weekends I drive from the Long Island Bridge to Loon Mountain via Center Harbor...and I'll tell ya, there are stretches of 25B that are waaaay worse than that stretch of the Neck Road that was mentioned. Holy mackerel, but that road has some frost heaves!!

Argie's Wife · 03-10-2010, 05:58 PM

Route 109 from Wolfeboro to Sanbornville....

Route 11 from Alton to Gilford/Laconia line....

Route 28 from Alton to Barnstead - yikes.

JL Girl · 03-10-2010, 07:26 PM

I forgot to mention that I wondered about poor Pepper driving those roads to Rochester (Route 11A, 11B, and 16) especially after that horrific night in the storm - wonder if our dear Pepper encounters frost heaves, etc. My brother said that the heaves before Alton are terrible whichwould be 11B after 11A joins it.

Pepper · 03-10-2010, 07:38 PM

Yessiree I do encounter those frost heaves, and they're horrendous this year! All for struts on my car are now shot, and my exhaust is much worse for the wear as well.

It got so bad on Rt11 that I stopped going that way about six weeks ago, and now I travel over the mountain on 11A instead. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it's nowhere near the nightmare down on 11.

You are correct in your assessment that they've begun to settle down!

Hopefully the coming rains will not cause washouts where the heaves are, and after the rain goes, the heaves should be almost completely diminished. Yay!

Merrymeeting · 03-10-2010, 07:42 PM

Anyone try driving the access roads to Steele Hill Resort? We visited some friends who stayed there recently.

Whoowh!

Sue Doe-Nym · 03-11-2010, 12:28 AM

Absolute worst is 25B going out of Centr Harbor towards Rt 3 at top of hill.

Greene's Basin Girl · 03-11-2010, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Absolute worst is 25B going out of Centr Harbor towards Rt 3 at top of hill.

I agree with you!

jmen24 · 03-11-2010, 08:33 AM

Route 129 in Loudon, the entire length from 106 to 107 in Gilmanton.

riverat · 03-11-2010, 08:34 AM

Rt11 Ames Farm area and Rt11 in the area of Governors Island rd. Almost have to come to a crawl to get through without destroying suspension. What gets me is, As much as I have an urge to go for a ride on my motorcycle (like many I saw lately) I cannot imagine riding these roads on one

Grant · 03-11-2010, 09:49 AM

Rte. 175 - from Plymouth State to Little Squam (25) was like Baghdad in late February.

donnamatrix · 03-11-2010, 10:17 AM

I live off 109 in Moultonboro, which has become a washboard, and a bit tricky. However, Route 171 going from Rt 109 over to Ossipee (where it runs into Rt 28) is the worst road I have ever seen. In daylight it's horrific, I cannot imagine trying to navigate in the dark. It's what you imagine the road to Baghdad must be like.

AC2717 · 03-11-2010, 10:23 AM

Hands down Meredith Center Rd from from Rt106 to Meredith Center to 104.

But even still the condition of that road is terrible to begin with I think they keep it that way on purpose to keep the traffic down

I would even cast my vote for Rt 113 form Tamworth Center to Rt 16

tgresla · 03-11-2010, 12:26 PM

driving north out of Wolfeboro did you ever notice the heaves are not that bad for the first 4 miles till you reach the Tuftonboro line where they definitely get worse. Must be different construction methods by each town for the same road.

WINNOCTURN · 03-11-2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

I live off 109 in Moultonboro, which has become a washboard, and a bit tricky. However, Route 171 going from Rt 109 over to Ossipee (where it runs into Rt 28) is the worst road I have ever seen. In daylight it's horrific, I cannot imagine trying to navigate in the dark. It's what you imagine the road to Baghdad must be like.

Donna,

Remember how smooth 109 was from Moultonboro to Wolfeboro last summer. That inch and a half of "HOT TOP" they put down really held-up.

You are right, 171 is un-drivable.

donnamatrix · 03-11-2010, 04:42 PM

Winnocturn: I do remember the short span of time that we could drive from our house in Suissevale to Wolfeboro and not ruin the struts on the car. But, listen to this: one of the folks I work with was driving down Bean Rd today, he bottomed out, tore open his oil pan ... AAA came to the office and towed his car to the shop! And Bean Road is NOTHING compared to Route 171. I (used to) like going over 171 to Ocean State Job Lot and the Black Bear Cafe on Route 16 (great little gem) ... but not now. Don't think the spring thaw will remedy it either. Why can't NH pave or repair roads correctly??? Sheesh.

offmycloud · 03-11-2010, 05:08 PM

If you like frost heaves check out 109A from Melvin Village to Wolfeboro.

Lakesrider · 03-11-2010, 06:50 PM

And I'll say it again. RT109 is designated as a scenic byway. Why the State does not get grant money for this road is beyond me. It is heavily used in the summer as it is the only road around the backside of the lake. The antique cars have a rough time on the section in Melvin Village, and on bike week I hear numerous complaints about using this road as a tour route. Ya have to wonder why numbers are down for Bike week. I think it is sad to think people do not come up and visit because the roads are getting so bad. I guess the Governor thinks New Hampshire's Northern border is just north of Concord.

03-10-2010, 04:53 PM	#1
JL Girl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 76 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Which roads have the worst frost heaves? I ask this question on the Forum every year or so. Thought this year's reached a new low (or is it high?!!) I have 4 questions for you: 1. Which roads have the worst frost heaves, valleys, pot holes and torn-up- centers-of-the-roads? My personal answer is the bottom 1/4 of the Moultonborough Neck Road (some ways after Jojo's and before Trexler's) and Long Island Road. I've noticed everyone doing what I do - traveling on the far right of the road and on the pathway. You can't do any more than 20 mph or else, although there are always jerks who do (and do they bounce up in the air or what?!!! So glad they care about their car or truck). My mechanic said he drives over these roads and has never seen them this bad and he has a truck (better suspension than a car?) 2. Which of the 4 conditions above do you hate the worst? I personally fear the unepxectedly deeper valleys right after the heaves. 3. Has anybody noticed the NH DOT trucks doing cold patch? They just did a bunch on this bad section I mentioned but there's no rhyme or reason as to why they did certain valleys and not others - even to one immediately adjacent to the "done" one - and it's the same heighth or depth! I had heard that they stick a ruler down into the "valley" and if it doesn't meet the minimum to have cold patch, it doesn't get it. 4. Is it me or has (within the past couple of days) there been a slight improvement in the roads such that the road is sinking back into its pre-winter state? One good thing about the frost heaves, etc. and having to go slower is that you are easily able to spot the deer (especially at the top of Long Island Road first hill after the Town Beach) that seem to like hanging around in the road. One day around 4:30 pm, I came across 4 deer in the road - they stood and watched me, then 2 ran to the left and 2 to the right. Something told me not to move forward - yup, sure enough, the ones on the left ran across to the right hand side of the road and the other 2 on the right ran to the left side. Again, I didn't move. Yup, the ones on the right ran over to the left. I waited a few minutes then started up very slowly. I looked into the trees when I went by, and there they all were, each standing behind a tree with only their heads peeking around the tree. Thought of Robert DeNiro: "Hey, you looking at me?!!!!"

03-10-2010, 05:24 PM	#3
WakeboardMom Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NH X 2 Posts: 508 Thanks: 595 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts	On the weekends I drive from the Long Island Bridge to Loon Mountain via Center Harbor...and I'll tell ya, there are stretches of 25B that are waaaay worse than that stretch of the Neck Road that was mentioned. Holy mackerel, but that road has some frost heaves!! __________________ MarieM

03-10-2010, 07:38 PM	#6
Pepper Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Laconia, NH Posts: 1,284 Thanks: 409 Thanked 155 Times in 40 Posts	She does! Yessiree I do encounter those frost heaves, and they're horrendous this year! All for struts on my car are now shot, and my exhaust is much worse for the wear as well. It got so bad on Rt11 that I stopped going that way about six weeks ago, and now I travel over the mountain on 11A instead. It's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it's nowhere near the nightmare down on 11. You are correct in your assessment that they've begun to settle down! Hopefully the coming rains will not cause washouts where the heaves are, and after the rain goes, the heaves should be almost completely diminished. Yay! __________________ Never waste time lamenting what was. Simply celebrate what is!

03-11-2010, 08:34 AM	#11
riverat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 722 Thanks: 337 Thanked 280 Times in 123 Posts	Rt11 Ames Farm area and Rt11 in the area of Governors Island rd. Almost have to come to a crawl to get through without destroying suspension. What gets me is, As much as I have an urge to go for a ride on my motorcycle (like many I saw lately) I cannot imagine riding these roads on one __________________ Waking up in the morning is the greatest, everything after that is a bonus

03-11-2010, 09:49 AM	#12
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,485 Thanks: 337 Thanked 212 Times in 116 Posts	175 Rte. 175 - from Plymouth State to Little Squam (25) was like Baghdad in late February. __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

03-10-2010, 05:13 PM	#2
DickR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 735 Thanks: 4 Thanked 254 Times in 166 Posts	I agree with you on the lower neck road condition. I try to avoid the potholes and worst of the bumps. They are quite effective as speed bumps. As far as the deer hanging around the road at the top of the road up from the beach, earlier this winter I had one run into the side of the car on me right up there. I never saw him until I heard the thump. He made a small dent, and it must have given him an Excedrin headache too. He ran off; no body to report. I can't figure out why there are so many deer on LI. If all deer are so stupid as to run across the street smack into a moving car all lit up for night driving, why hasn't the Darwin effect limited their numbers?

03-10-2010, 05:58 PM	#4
Argie's Wife Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Alton Posts: 1,908 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 533 Thanked 579 Times in 260 Posts	Route 109 from Wolfeboro to Sanbornville.... Route 11 from Alton to Gilford/Laconia line.... Route 28 from Alton to Barnstead - yikes.

03-10-2010, 07:26 PM	#5
JL Girl Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 76 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I forgot to mention that I wondered about poor Pepper driving those roads to Rochester (Route 11A, 11B, and 16) especially after that horrific night in the storm - wonder if our dear Pepper encounters frost heaves, etc. My brother said that the heaves before Alton are terrible whichwould be 11B after 11A joins it.

03-10-2010, 07:42 PM	#7
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	Anyone try driving the access roads to Steele Hill Resort? We visited some friends who stayed there recently. Whoowh!

03-11-2010, 12:28 AM	#8
Sue Doe-Nym Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,372 Thanks: 710 Thanked 758 Times in 393 Posts	Absolute worst is 25B going out of Centr Harbor towards Rt 3 at top of hill.

03-11-2010, 08:33 AM	#10
jmen24 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,139 Thanks: 223 Thanked 319 Times in 181 Posts	Route 129 in Loudon, the entire length from 106 to 107 in Gilmanton.

03-11-2010, 10:17 AM	#13
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	Worst Road is 171 I live off 109 in Moultonboro, which has become a washboard, and a bit tricky. However, Route 171 going from Rt 109 over to Ossipee (where it runs into Rt 28) is the worst road I have ever seen. In daylight it's horrific, I cannot imagine trying to navigate in the dark. It's what you imagine the road to Baghdad must be like.

03-11-2010, 10:23 AM	#14
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,522 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	Hands down Meredith Center Rd from from Rt106 to Meredith Center to 104. But even still the condition of that road is terrible to begin with I think they keep it that way on purpose to keep the traffic down I would even cast my vote for Rt 113 form Tamworth Center to Rt 16 __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

03-11-2010, 12:26 PM	#15
tgresla Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 11 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	rte 109 driving north out of Wolfeboro did you ever notice the heaves are not that bad for the first 4 miles till you reach the Tuftonboro line where they definitely get worse. Must be different construction methods by each town for the same road.

03-11-2010, 04:42 PM	#17
donnamatrix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonboro Posts: 833 Thanks: 24 Thanked 258 Times in 120 Posts	I do remember! Winnocturn: I do remember the short span of time that we could drive from our house in Suissevale to Wolfeboro and not ruin the struts on the car. But, listen to this: one of the folks I work with was driving down Bean Rd today, he bottomed out, tore open his oil pan ... AAA came to the office and towed his car to the shop! And Bean Road is NOTHING compared to Route 171. I (used to) like going over 171 to Ocean State Job Lot and the Black Bear Cafe on Route 16 (great little gem) ... but not now. Don't think the spring thaw will remedy it either. Why can't NH pave or repair roads correctly??? Sheesh.

03-11-2010, 05:08 PM	#18
offmycloud Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chicago IL and Moultonborough Posts: 165 Thanks: 3 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	If you like frost heaves check out 109A from Melvin Village to Wolfeboro.

03-11-2010, 06:50 PM	#19
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	And I'll say it again. RT109 is designated as a scenic byway. Why the State does not get grant money for this road is beyond me. It is heavily used in the summer as it is the only road around the backside of the lake. The antique cars have a rough time on the section in Melvin Village, and on bike week I hear numerous complaints about using this road as a tour route. Ya have to wonder why numbers are down for Bike week. I think it is sad to think people do not come up and visit because the roads are getting so bad. I guess the Governor thinks New Hampshire's Northern border is just north of Concord.