TOPSHAM — Topsham is worried about traffic, and plans on tackling some of the problems on the road as it updates its comprehensive plan for he first time in a decade.
Measures to calm traffic and speed in town were among the top priorities residents cited when asked what issues they saw in town. A committee has been working on the plan update since October of 2017.
Topsham has been proactive about monitoring traffic speeds within the past year. From April to November, police deployed traffic radar boards 24 times to study speed trends on town roads. Police Chief Christopher Lewis presented the numbers to selectmen Nov. 15. There wasn’t much alarming about the data, but main roads with higher speeds remain a concern.
Lewis indicated at the time there was a vehicle clocked travelling along Route 196 at 76 mph. Route 196, also known as Lewiston Road, has a 45-mph limit. Even with a speed warning sign and radar, a minority of drivers, just 40 percent, respect that speed limit. Another 27 percent drove within a “tolerable speed” — defined as within 5 mph of the limit — according to data collected from 21,929 vehicles in August.
Tospham’s current draft comprehensive plan encourages the town to explore speed-calming measures. The draft plan encourages “slow flow” streets designed to make motorists feel uncomfortable to drive at speeds in excess of 25 MPH. The slow flow design also encourages efficient traffic flow by removing merges,stop lights, and other design interventions that create unnecessary delays and safety issues.
For the heavier traveled, state-maintained roads, the report suggests more advocacy for town control over speed limits. Speed calming measures on other roads suggest allowing on-street parking townwide.
“I wouldn’t say there will be wholesale changes,” Assistant Planner Carol Eyerman. ‘But, there’s still a chance for input.”
The full draft plan including all ideas for the update of the plan are available on the town’s website.
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