Maine car accident lawyers reveal what drivers should know
State and city officials in Biddeford, Maine hope an ongoing traffic study of Route 111 will help address “potentially dangerous” intersections on the state road and prevent car accidents in the future.
“The purpose of the study is to think through the best options,” said Matthew Eddy, Biddeford’s director of planning and development, in an interview with Spectrum News.
The traffic study is being conducted by T.Y. Lin International. Work on the study began in August 2021 and will continue through the end of 2022, Eddy said. The City of Biddeford commissioned the study, along with the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Maine Department of Transportation.
Why is the traffic safety study being done?
Maine State Route 111 (known as the Carl Broggi Highway) runs 14 miles from Biddeford to Alford in York County. Route 111 intersects with some of the busiest roads in Maine, including Route 1 and the Maine Turnpike, also known as I-95.
City and state officials commissioned the traffic study of Maine State Route 111 in Biddeford. They requested the study due to “increased volumes in the city near or on Route 111” between 2016 and 2019. In particular, traffic studies of Route 111 found increased traffic volumes on Route 111 east of Exit 32 on the Maine Turnpike and at the intersection of Route 111 and Elm Street (Route 1) in Biddeford.
What are the most dangerous intersections on Route 111 in Biddeford?
Along with identifying increased traffic volume on Route 111 in Biddeford, recent traffic studies discovered which intersections on the road in Biddeford are the most dangerous. According to car accident data from 2018 through 2020, the following are the three most dangerous intersections on Route 111 in Biddeford:
- Biddeford Connector and Route 111 near Exit 32 on the Maine Turnpike (I-95) (77 car accidents)
- U.S. Route 1 and Route 111 intersection (46 car accidents)
- Edwards Avenue and Route 111 near the Five Points Shopping Center (31 car accidents)
What are possible solutions to the problem?
Eddy told Spectrum News it’s still too soon to tell what suggestions or solutions could emerge from the ongoing traffic study of Route 111 in Biddeford. However, he did add that city and state officials are considering five possible steps designed to reduce the number of car accidents on Route 111, including:
- Do not make any changes to the road.
- Make changes to the road without widening it.
- Redesign the traffic flow on Route 111 near Exit 32 of the Maine Turnpike.
- Launch a promotional campaign encouraging walking, bicycling, and using public transportation.
- Build a highway spur from another location in the city.
Crash victims may be entitled to compensation
If you have been injured in an accident caused by another driver on Route 111 or another busy road in Maine, make sure you fully understand your legal rights. Make sure you make an appointment with an experienced Maine car accident attorney at the Law Offices of Joe Bornstein. We can investigate your crash and aggressively advocate for your best interests.
Don't let an insurance company try to downplay the severity of your injuries or pressure you into accepting a lowball settlement offer. Let our law firm fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation. We have seven offices conveniently located throughout Maine, including one on Main Street in Biddeford.
