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04/03/2023 02:46 PMThe four-way intersection/three-way stop at the top of Stepstone Hill will soon be an all-way stop intersection intended to address increasing safety concerns that have developed in recent years. Town officials said that the alignment at Nut Plains Road and Goose Lane will also be addressed.
Currently, the intersection at Stepstone Hill Road and Little Meadow Road is only a three-way stop, as those drivers heading up Stepstone Hill do not have a stop sign dedicated for their lane of travel. The new configuration will now have stop signs for all four directions.
Town Engineer Janice Plaziak said resident concerns about the dangers of the intersection spurred the redesign.
“There was some requests to the Police Commission about this intersection, and they reviewed it and did make the decision to make it a four-way stop. As you know, three-way stops at a four-way intersection oftentimes can be confusing, and I think they did their due diligence with the review of accident…to make their decision,” Plaziak said.
Though far from the most confusing intersection in town, the crossing can often addle drivers, despite additional signage that states that traffic coming up the hill does not have a stop sign, and is especially difficult to navigate for visitors who are not familiar with the area and its three-way stop designation.
Deputy Chief Chris Massey said alert signs have already been placed on Stepstone Hill, and the anticipated install date for the permanent signage is set for Monday, April 17.
“The install will include a new stop sign and painted stop bar for westbound traffic on Stepstone Hill Road. Additionally, a stop ahead sign will be installed east of the new sign to warn drivers of the upcoming new sign.” said Massey, adding that the sign went up on April 1.
The Town Engineer’s Office also announced changes to Nut Plains Road and Goose Lane in the coming months. Speed limits on Nut Plains Road will be increased from 25 to 30 miles an hour, the road will have drainage upgrades installed, and portions of the road will have sightline improvements, according to Plaziak.
As part of this project, the intersection of Nut Plains Road and Goose Lane, known by residents as the “Bermuda Triangle” for its confusing and hazardous alignment, will also be reconfigured. According to Plaziak, current realignment designs will have Goose Lane travelers with a right of way without a stop sign, and Nut Plains Road travelers will have a T-intersection with stop signs in both directions.
“This project is part of a state-funded project, and the intersection at Goose Lane and Nut Plains will be reconfigured into a “T” intersection to make it less confusing and safer than it now is,” said Plaziak. “The roadway will be rebuilt to the north of there to add drainage and improve the roadway overall. We’re going to T that up at the bottom of the hill and install the drainage improvements near Half Mile Road as well, where we have some water ponding problems.”