Residents of a high-traffic area in Auburn are mostly in favor of putting a traffic light at one of the state’s most dangerous intersections.

“I grew up on this road,” one Beech Hill Road resident wrote. “The intersection has needed a light for a long time. I won’t go that way if I can help it, it is just too dangerous.”

The comments were submitted to the Maine Department of Transportation as part of a proposal to put a full traffic signal at the intersection of Washington Street (routes 100 and 202), Danville Corner Road, and Beech Hill Road.

The intersection, the site of an accident in May in which two people died, occupies the top spot on a state list of most accident-prone intersections.

In October the state called for public comment on the traffic signal plan, which is estimated to cost $600,000.

The majority of those who submitted comments were in favor of the traffic light. Of the 30 comments, 12 were in favor, five were leaning in favor, eight were neutral, one was less in favor and four were not in favor of the project.

People who wrote in favor of the traffic light see it as a way to help traffic navigate the Route 202 intersection more safely and control excessive speed.

“As a resident of Beech Hill for over 15 years, I heartily welcome the installation of traffic signals at this location,” one resident wrote. “Attempting to cross Washington Street to go straight or make a left turn requires dealing with speeding traffic, opposing drivers with no signals or those pulling to the center of the road and blocking the intersection. The recent installation of lowered speed limits has had no effect on the speed of traffic on Washington Street.”

A light is long overdue, some commented. “It’s needed now, not later,” wrote one resident. “Why so long to finish. This should be a priority since so many have been killed or maimed at that intersection.”

People critical of the project offered other solutions rather than installing a traffic light. One person suggested not allowing left turns across Route 202. 

“The cheapest and fastest solution to this problem is blocking the median,” one public comment reads. “No more left turns across 202. This includes East Hardscrabble. Turnarounds are already established on 202 to reverse direction. The general consensus of the residents of Beech Hill and East Hardscrabble are in favor of this solution.

“This would also solve the huge problem of prohibited trucks from driving up either road after leaving the turnpike to access Hotel Road. Both of these residential streets could see increased use by prohibited trucks when the light is installed, making it easier to make a left-hand turn on both Beech Hill and East Hardscrabble.”

Many of the comments asked the state to consider longer-term solutions to the traffic pattern through that area as well as a traffic signal.

The Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center is sponsoring the Washington Street Feasibility Study covering the entire Washington Street corridor, the heavy-traffic path that goes between Exit 75 and downtown Auburn.

The study is considering several safety solutions along that road, many of which were suggested by people who submitted comments for the Danville Corner traffic light. The engineers are expected to present a draft of findings to the public by the end of the year.

The Washington Street corridor project is scheduled to go out to bid early next year, with construction expected to begin in the summer or fall of next year.