The roundabout linking the Bernard P. Rines Bypass with Narragansett Street was the highest crash intersection in Gorham last year with 19 reported accidents. Robert Lowell / American Journal
Traveling through Gorham appeared safer last year as the number of high crash intersections shrunk to six from 11 in 2020 and 13 in 2019, according to the state.
Two of Gorham’s five roundabouts top the list of high crash intersections again last year in town, according to recently released Maine Department of Transportation statistics. They also tied last year as the top two.
The Bernard P. Rines Bypass (Route 112) and Narragansett Street roundabout led the town’s most dangerous intersections with 19 crashes in 2021. Accidents at the roundabout were up from 18 in 2020 and from 15 in 2019. Three injuries were reported there for each of the three years.
The Gray and Mosher roads roundabout in Little Falls was the second-highest crash intersection but proved safer than in the two past years. It logged 16 crashes in 2021, down from 18 in 2020 and 20 in 2019. The intersection had two injuries in both 2021 and 2020, and one in 2019.
Other high crash intersections in 2021 include Libby Avenue and Main Street with 15, down from 17 in 2020 and 19 crashes in 2019. Brackett Road and Saco Street with 13 was up from 11 in 2020. Two intersections tied with eight each: Dow Road and Ossipee Trail and Gray Road and Main Street.
In a separate category from intersections, Gorham Village had 16 crashes along a stretch of Main Street from Elm and Water streets to New Portland Road.
The DOT defines high crash locations as those with eight or more vehicle accidents per year and greater than the statewide average for similar locations, according to Communications Director Paul Merrill.
“I think that the main reason behind the high stats for these intersections is simply because of the traffic volume that travels on these roadways,” Gorham Police Chief Christopher Sanborn said this week.
As one example, Route 112 saw a daily average of more than 8,000 vehicles, according to the latest MDOT traffic count in 2019.
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