Aging traffic light in Newport sparks request for state study

NEWPORT – Newport’s only traffic light, installed at the intersection of Routes 2 and 7 more than 13 years ago, has outlived its configuration, Newport selectmen determined Wednesday night.

The light does not allow for the increased economic growth in the area, Selectman Eric Shorey said. “A whole lot has changed out there since 1982,” he said.

“There were many, many times this summer when traffic was backed up for a half mile or more on both roads,” Town Manager James Ricker agreed.

“I’ve seen cars coming in from Palmyra waiting for three to five light cycles to turn left on Route 7,” Ricker said.

Ricker recently sent a letter to the Maine Department of Transportation asking for a new traffic study.

“It is my belief that traffic counts in this area were grossly underestimated for the light to handle in its current configuration,” Ricker wrote.

Ricker also said Wednesday he has serious concerns about an agreement signed in 1982 that makes Newport responsible for ownership and all maintenance of the light.

“It’s not the changing of the bulbs that has me concerned,” Ricker said. “Newport cannot afford to replace that light.”

Ricker said it is so old that only one or two people in the state know how to repair it and the underground sensors that trip the lights are no longer working.

In other business, the selectmen agreed to take $1,500 from reserve funds to pay half of a bill from the Eastern Maine Development Corp. for the administration and marketing of Pine Tree Zones.

The other half of the bill will be paid by the Newport Development Corp., which the selectmen agreed should take over marketing duties for the town.

“We haven’t seen any results,” said Ricker of the EMDC efforts to market primarily to the Maritime Canada area.

“It appears to be the buckshot approach,” Selectman James Brann said.

Ricker said the NDC was very active in the 1980s but then faded. Recently, however, it has been re-energized with an influx of new members, Ricker said.

NDC recently donated $5,000 to the Newport Cultural Center, erected Welcome to Newport signs, purchased banners and flags for Main Street, and is working to create business opportunities.