Newcastle residents push changes to downtown intersection plans

Newcastle residents met with Maine DOT planners to review the Wright Pierce concept designs for the downtown intersection at Academy Hill, Mills Road, and River Road. Residents raised concerns about the proposed slip lane, pedestrian safety, and sight lines, and discussed parking, traffic speed, and civic space along Main Street and Mills Road. No formal votes were taken; the input will be passed to DOT as design work continues.

Key points

• Residents voiced strong opposition to the proposed slip lane at the downtown intersection, arguing it becomes useless during backups and is less safe for pedestrians; a four-way stop with stop signs (not traffic lights) drew broad support.
• Several residents disputed the need for a wide turning radius to accommodate 18-wheelers, saying trucks already navigate tighter turns and that pedestrian safety should take priority.
• Residents asked that the crosswalk sign on Mills Road be moved to the curb side because trucks have knocked it down three times in three years.
• The group discussed adding angled parking near the apartments and Stetson house area to free up space for a civic or park area, but no consensus was reached; DOT's Clark Soloway noted state data shows angle parking has a high crash rate.
• Residents asked about moving the 25 mph speed limit sign farther up the hill and adding speed feedback signs, rumble strips, or gateway treatments to slow traffic approaching the village.
• On Mills Road, a resident said measurements show the road is as wide as the area in front of the Congregational Church, so parking on one side with a sidewalk on the other is feasible.

Next steps

• Town Manager Kevin Sutherland will pass resident comments, including a list from resident Nigel, to Maine DOT for consideration in the design.
• The town will pursue a solar-powered speed feedback sign through DOT and get in line for one.
• Another Newcastle Next meeting will be scheduled after the design work is put on paper; residents can sign up for email or text notifications on the town's new website.

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