Sligo Road in North Yarmouth is a quiet country road which essentially goes nowhere and has a dead end. There are many pedestrians, runners and dog walkers who share the road and seem to outnumber the vehicles on the road. There are no shoulders which would make this road sharing more safe. Sligo Road does, however cross Route 9, so some folks turn there to go to other destinations.

I have lived on a little lane off Sligo Road for nearly 20 years, and as long as I have lived here the speed limit begins at 25 mph from its start at the intersection of Main Street in Yarmouth and increases to 35 mph after crossing railroad tracks a short ways later – and continuing to be 35 mph all the way to its end. Suddenly, within the last few weeks, the speed limit signs in North Yarmouth have been changed to 45 mph. I don’t know by whom, or why this change was made, but I feel it makes Sligo Road in North Yarmouth less safe for those of us who use it for walking, bike riding, dog walking and traveling by vehicle.

I have asked the Maine Department of Transportation about this and their response was, “Sligo Road in North Yarmouth is a town road and resides outside of the state jurisdiction. As well as partially existing in Urban Compact – which is also outside of state jurisdiction. Please refer to the town of North Yarmouth in regard to your concern.”

I have received no resolution from the town of North Yarmouth, so I am hoping a little press attention will generate others to express their support for returning the speed limit on Sligo Road to the more safe limit of 35 miles per hour.

Christine McDuffie
North Yarmouth