Be Aware of This New Traffic Pattern on Route 302 in Westbrook, Maine

There's been a significant traffic pattern change on Route 302/Bridgton Road in Westbrook that may take some drivers by surprise.

An updated traffic light system has been installed at the intersection of Bridgton Road and Pride and Brook Streets, and with that installation, the lanes approaching the light have changed.

In this Google Maps satellite image, you can see that the intersection approach in both west and east directions have two lanes each.  Heading east toward Portland, the left lane is for turning left and going straight, while the right lane it for going straight and turning right.

Going west toward Windham, the left lane is for turning left only, and the right lane is for going straight or turning right.

One of the biggest points of confusion at this intersection is for people traveling west in the left lane to go straight. As soon as they cross the intersection, the lane quickly turns into a right-turn-only lane, so all cars must move over to the left lane.

The new traffic pattern corrects this with a third lane. The left is for left turns only, the right is for right turns only, and the middle lane is for through traffic.

Traffic heading east now has only one travel lane that allows right turns and through traffic.

It's pretty simple really, but it's definitely different, so keep your eyes out for the lane markers and signs that show you where you should be.