Peterborough officials and residents are going to be updated on planned changes to an intersection in town that has been flagged as one of the most dangerous in the state.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation is holding a public information session tonight, Tuesday, Nov. 28, to show updates coming the intersection of Route 101, Old Street Road and Route 123.
“That particular intersection came up as one of the most dangerous in the state for an unsignalized four-way intersection,” Town Administrator Rodney Bartlett said.
According to the Department of Transportation, there were 44 accidents between 2005 and 2014, 28 of which were caused by drivers failing to yield. Fourteen of these resulted in injuries.
“This intersection has remained in our sights as something we can make safer,” Michael Dugas, chief of preliminary design at the bureau of highway design, said. “We’re trying to think outside the box.”
Dugas addressed the Peterborough Board of Selectmen in September and took notes from what its members and Planning Board Chair Ivy Vann had to add, especially regarding potential traffic calming measures like blinking caution signs and a speed feedback sign.
The proposal would shift the intersection south to make the curve less dramatic on Route 101, also known as Wilton Road, and trim vegetation to improve the sight line for drivers exiting Route 123, also known as Elm Hill Road, or Old Street Road.
He will be back in Peterborough tonight to bring the new plans to the public and town officials.
“We’re going to talk about the big issues, the most important being speeds coming down the hill from Temple Mountain and the sight lines,” he said. “It’s meant to present the issues the abutters and a larger audience.”
The public information meeting is going to be at 6 p.m. in the Selectmen’s meeting room at the Peterborough Town Office.