The state wanted to install a flashing light on Route 11.
POLAND – The state Department of Transportation has proposed installing a double flashing light on Route 11 but wants the town to pick up the maintenance responsibilities and electricity costs afterward.
Three years ago the DOT identified the intersection with White Oak Hill and Megquier Hill roads as a high crash site that needs a flashing light. It met criteria of eight crashes over a three-year period, said Stephen Landry, assistant state traffic engineer. The intersection had nine accidents between 1999 and 2001, he said.
Since a spike of five accidents in 2000, only one accident was reported in 2003. There were three in 2002, and one in 2001, according to state data. Of the five latest accidents, no injuries were reported. Of all the accidents since 1999, none has been fatal.
Because of a long list of larger state projects, state officials are just now getting around to approaching towns about smaller projects, said Landry. He estimated that the state installs 10 to 12 of the traffic lights statewide in a two-year cycle.
Selectmen voted 2-2 Tuesday night and denied the state’s request. Board members Patricia Nash and Chairman David Corcoran agreed that the light would improve traffic safety, while Lionel Ferland and Glenn Peterson voted against the recommendation. Selectman Stephen Robinson was absent.
Town Manager Richard Chick advised the board that a light would be prudent, but that budget costs could be an overriding factor.
“There are a goodly number of accidents there,” said Chick. “The downside is that it would be another hit on the budget.”
Landry explained that most of the accidents seemed to be the result of drivers being unaware of the intersection before they come to it. The light, flashing yellow on Route 11 and red on the side roads, would get drivers’ attention.
“We don’t just put these things in for no reason,” said Landry.
However, the state official acknowledged that the rate of accidents has decreased in recent years and that the state probably would not consider this intersection a high priority. If the number of crashes begins to rise again, the state will push harder to put in the light, said Landry.
Nash agreed that sight was difficult at that intersection, but Ferland noted that flashing lights would create more of an aggravation to corner residents than they would be worth in improving traffic.
Peterson voted against the idea because the state had failed to provide data on the success of the lights. Corcoran asked Landry to return to a future meeting with more information on maintenance costs and accident reduction data.
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