OLD ORCHARD BEACH —  The town of Old Orchard Beach has met with the Maine Department of Transportation to address the turning radius at the corner of Smithwheel and Ocean Park roads.

In June, a new Dunkin’ Donuts opened on the corner of the two streets at the site of a former hotel and cabins.

The location for the new coffee and doughnut shop drew concern from several abutters and other residents, who were worried about traffic safety, especially in the summer when Ocean Park Road is busy with visitors using the road to get into town.

Ocean Park Road leads into town from the highway spur, and although some residents spoke in favor of a traffic light at the intersection of Smithwheel and Ocean Park roads, the MaineDOT, who had the final say regarding the addition of a traffic light, did not approve one.

Proponents of the project said the coffee shop was an improvement over the weathered looking cabins and hotel that had been on the site and was a better looking business to have along the gateway to town.

The new development generated changes to the intersection, including reconfiguring traffic lanes and adding traffic-calming measures.

“You could say that it worked out so that the intersection functioned adequately,” said Town Manager Larry Mead at Tuesday night’s Town Council meeting.

Over the first summer, there haven’t been any serious accidents or chronic congestion at the intersection, Mead said.

“That being said, it continues to be a tricky intersection, especially in the summer, especially trying to make left turns out of Smithwheel (Road) onto Ocean Park (Road),” said Mead.

Town staff met with the regional MaineDOT engineer who designed the intersection to discuss potential changes that would be made next year to improve the turning radius of the intersection.

“I can’t promise you anything,” Mead said, but noted that MaineDOT would review the case and get back to the town with their decision.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or [email protected].