Somersworth to upgrade lights at dangerous intersection: Here's the plan

SOMERSWORTH — The city will be making improvements this summer to one of its most dangerous intersections.

City councilors, on Monday, approved traffic light improvements for the intersection of Blackwater Road, Indigo Hill Road and Route 108 (High Street).

"We have had many accidents and near misses there, particularly when people are taking a left turn from Blackwater Road onto High Street," said Michael Bobinski, the city's director of public works and utilities. "Part of the problem is that the intersection is skewed. It is on the state DOT plan for redesign and construction, but for now this traffic light improvement should help with safety."

Bobinsky said the biggest difference people will see when the work is completed is dedicated left-turn signals.

Upgrades will be made to the intersection of Route 108, Indigo Hill Road and Blackwater Road. Following a public hearing where no members of the public spoke, the council approved using $36,000 from the municipal and transportation fund to make changes that will include the left-turn lane.

No date was set for the work to begin at the intersection.

"It was just approved Monday evening, therefore we need to get formal contracts to sign and a proposed schedule," said City Manager Bob Belmore.

More Somersworth news: Denis Messier explains resignation from City Council, cites "personalities"

Bobinsky said he thinks they are looking at mid- to late summer to do the work.

"It should only take 7-10 days," he said," "I do not anticipate detours, but there might be one lane closed at points if we need to."

Bobinsky presented the city with the scope of work needed, to be reviewed by the contractors, Sebago Technologies, working with Electric Light Co., which did the original signal work.

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Somersworth to upgrade lights at dangerous intersection