GREENE – Quickly becoming a growing commercial strip and a safety hazard in Greene, Route 202 has been on the drafting board for sometime, in hopes that with outside help it will soon meet public and private needs more efficiently.

An access management study was funded by the state Department of Transportation out of a desire to come to a conclusion of what actions should be taken to make the road more accessible to residents, and more accommodating to businesses, in the near future.

After a year and a half of research with help from Androscoggin Valley Council of Government, the committee for economic development, Town Manager Stephen Eldridge, Fire Chief Bruce Tufts and Road Foreman Kevin Doyle, plans have been unofficially proposed to help control the traffic flow and economic development capacity.

One proposal to decrease accidents is creating merge lanes, much like a turnpike on-ramp, to allow motorist the ability to get onto Route 202 at speed opposed to the 90-degree-angle turns drivers must currently make.

Other ideas include placing traffic lights at certain sections allowing merging traffic a safer entrance on the road. Turning lanes into local businesses have also been suggested which would keep traffic moving and eliminating abrupt stops.

“The importance right now is getting this out to the public,” Eldridge said. “The attendance to several business meetings have been low.” He believes this is an important issue for the town and wants to hear input from town residents. The town will get to vote on the issue in the fall but Eldridge wants the public to be educated on this matter well in advance.

In other safety-related news, after receiving a handful of concerned phone calls regarding travel on College Street, the town is currently seeking ways of making the road more driver-friendly. The board agreed that if something is to be done to increase driver awareness, it should meet state DOT code.

Eldridge said the focus of the calls regarded motorists driving in the middle of the road. The suggestion of painting one solid yellow line down the road was unanimously voted against by the selectmen, however the possibility of placing yellow strip tabs around dangerous curves and knolls was strongly favored.

The town manager will look into various possibilities and costs and report back to the board at the next board meeting.

Since the closing of Allen Pond Campground, public boat access to the pond has been limited. In order for the state to continue stocking game in the pond a public boat launch must be present.

“We are trying to find a suitable location to put a boat launch,” Selectmen Mark Christman said. “Because motor boats are allowed on the pond, we have to have a public launch” to be eligible for state stocking, he said.

If anyone has suggestions or is willing to help solve this issue the town is eager to hear ideas. Parking space for approximately four to five vehicles with trailers will be needed to meet the boat launch capacity requirements.