I Think This Intersection in Westbrook Could Really Use a Traffic Light

Is it just me, or does anyone else who travels on Route 302 through Westbrook think this intersection needs a traffic light?

The intersection in question is where Bridgton Road/Route 302 and Duck Pond and Hardy Road meet. It currently has a flashing yellow light for 302 traffic and a red light for Duck Pond and Hardy Roads.

It's kind of a mess here with traffic on 302 typically going much faster than the 40 mph speed limit. Westbrook traffic climbs a hill to get to the intersection making visibility for those on Duck Pond and Hardy a little less. Add to that Duck Pond Variety which sits right on the corner of the intersection with gas pumps very close to Route 302 and cars pulling in on both sides of the building, and you've got a recipe for a crash.

The situation I came across recently was turning traffic both left and right on Route 302. Both vehicles were waiting for a break in the busy Route 302 traffic to make their turns, but all the traffic behind these turning cars was going around them on the shoulder, making it nearly impossible for them to complete their turns and creating a potentially dangerous situation.

According to Maine Department of Transportation data, there have been 10 crashes so far in 2022 resulting in 7 injuries. There were 16 crashes in 2021 resulting in 10 injuries. Looking back through the years of data, the intersection has averaged about 15 crashes a year and resulting in 10 injuries. That number seems like a lot to me, but apparently not enough to install a traffic light.

What would definitely help the situation is if drivers would slow down, but most seem to ignore the 40 mph speed limit despite efforts to slow them down with the installation of speed limit signs that flash a driver's speed to warn them.

So for now, drivers just need to be aware, slow down, be courteous and drive defensively through here and really everywhere you drive.