Residents and board flag safety problems at Old Hopkins River Road roundabout

Several members and attendees raised safety concerns about the Old Hopkins River Road intersection and a nearby roundabout affected by ongoing construction. A resident described sitting for 15 minutes to turn due to heavy post-construction traffic and missing or displaced barrels near the roundabout.

Members noted the confusion drivers face when cones, barrels and temporary alignments remain in place and whether the design and build decisions by the state matched local conditions. One member urged the board to start by contacting the selectboard and having the town request DOT and the regional planning commission (RPC) review the intersection and proposed traffic control options.

The board discussed possible local responses including recommending a reduced speed limit in the area, submitting a formal letter to the state DOT and asking the RPC to include the intersection in its 10-year plan. Members also discussed whether a full traffic signal or a different rotary design would be appropriate once the state work is complete.

The planning board agreed to place the intersection on the next agenda and to coordinate with the selectboard and DOT for feedback and potential remedial measures. No formal request had yet been sent to DOT at the time of the meeting.