PHIPPSBURG

Contrary to advice from satellite navigation systems, Parker Head Road is not the best route from Bath to Popham Beach, locals say.

The old road, broken down from water damage, is too narrow. Bicyclists complicate the problem by clogging what amounts to the road’s shoulders. And because GPS has identified Parker Head Road as the best way to get to the beach, people traveling Parker Head Road are in a hurry.

It’s a mess.

“GPS has increased traffic on the road by 200 percent, because it was designed as the quickest way to Popham,” said Les Smith, a member of the town’s road committee.

Selectman Everett Perkins concurs.

“Traffic has increased greatly,” Perkins said. “All you have to do is stop and watch the number of outof state plates. Another thing is the cyclists. We’ve had a huge increase in the number of cyclists. It’s all happened in the last five years.”

To address the “best route” issue, Emergency Management Agency director Gary Morong contacted Garmin, and the company responded. Garmin is the leading, worldwide provider of navigation, communication and information devices and applications, most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin does not direct people through Parker Head to get to Popham Beach, and the hope is that the software upgrades are helping.

That’s the hope.

“If you’re on the road in the summertime,” Perkins said, “it’s just incredible. There’s just car after car after car after car.”

Parker Head Road begins across from Bisson’s Center store, off Route 209, and follows the Kennebec River to Popham Beach.

“It goes through the early village,” Smith said. “It’s a five-mile residential stretch with no businesses. It’s an old fishing village.”

Not only does the road have too much traffic, it’s in terrible condition.

“The road is gone,” Smith said. “The foundation is gone. Water comes through ledges all year long.”

The town is in the early stages of addressing the issue. A public informational meeting was held last Wednesday at Totman Library. Rob Prue of Pine Tree Engineering presented preliminary drawings and answered questions.

According to the meeting minutes, Prue explained that he tried to balance the safety of the residents with that of the traffic. The road is only 16 to 18 feet wide, he explained — very narrow for current safety standards. But Prue has recommended little widening.

Smith, who attended the meeting, elaborated.

“You can’t widen the road — there’s no room,” he said. “You must stay with eight-foot lanes because there are houses on the edge of the road.”

Most who attended the meeting favored “traffic calming” and the diversion of traffic. In terms of the best way to the beach, that would mean Route 209 from Bath.

lgrard@timesrecord.com

What is GPS?

¦ THE GLOBAL Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite-based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Department of Defense. GPS was originally intended for military applications, but in the 1980s, the government made the system available for civilian use. GPS works in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day. There are no subscription fees or setup charges to use GPS.