Accountability posts

SUNAPEE HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMITTEE — September 3, 2025 Meeting Recap

Two significant traffic proposals were discussed at last Wednesday's Highway Safety Committee meeting that were not listed on the public agenda — meaning residents had no specific notice to attend and engage.

First: the committee chair raised the idea of a four-way stop at Bradford Road and Nutting Road. The supporting data is real — 68,000 vehicles counted on that corridor, average speeds of 38 mph in a posted 30 mph zone, and Bradford Road accounting for 16–22% of all quarterly police traffic stops in town. But Bradford Road residents were given no advance notice this would be on the table. A four-way stop would permanently alter traffic flow on their street, and the state DOT made clear at the same meeting that four-way stops are irreversible — once installed, the only escalation options are a traffic signal or a roundabout.

Second: that irreversibility point came from a broader DOT policy presentation — also not on the public agenda — describing a new approach to implementing four-way stops proactively rather than reactively. This is a policy shift that could affect how Sunapee makes traffic infrastructure decisions going forward. Businesses, freight operators, and commuters on Route 11 and elsewhere had no notice this direction was being presented and discussed. On the Route 11/Lower Main Street intersection specifically, a community member with 40 years of local experience pointed out that only 5 accidents have occurred there in 10 years — and said she has never personally found it dangerous. The committee acknowledged the low crash history and, to their credit, pivoted toward exploring traffic calming alternatives and a temporary demonstration project rather than committing to a four-way stop immediately.

Also decided at the meeting: the Fenton Landing crosswalk — a pedestrian safety project near the harbor — was unanimously tabled until at least March 2026. The reason is that ADA compliance requirements were discovered after the project was already underway, and the associated costs weren't accounted for in the original scope. No public cost estimate has been released yet. Residents who were expecting that improvement, particularly those with mobility challenges accessing the harbor, are now waiting at least another six months.

The Bradford Road four-way stop and rural centerline painting issues have been formally added to the December 4 agenda (9:00 AM, moved to Thursday). If you live on Bradford Road or use Route 11 regularly, that is the meeting to attend.