McConkey seeks to tap brakes on Tamworth four-way stop

TAMWORTH — Residents will have another opportunity to weigh in on a proposed all-way stop at the intersection of Routes 16 and 113 in Chocorua during a public information meeting Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at the Tamworth Town House, 27 Cleveland Hill Road in Tamworth.

Tonight’s public input session was requested by state Sen. Mark McConkey (R-Freedom), who is vice chair of the New Hampshire Senate Transportation Committee.

Also expected to attend are representatives from the state Department of Transportation as well as state Reps. Brian Taylor (R-Freedom), Bobbi Boudman (D-Wolfeboro) and Richard Brown (R-Moultonborough).

In comments texted to the Sun last Friday, McConkey said he has continued to hear from Tamworth and Carroll County residents who oppose a proposal that was floated to the town from the state, even though the board of the Chocorua Community Association unanimously supports the plan to install a four-way stop sign at the intersection in Chocorua Village, along with four stop lines and crosswalk markings on the east and north sides of the intersection.

In March, selectmen held a meeting in which state Highway Safety Project Engineer Corey Spetelunas and Engineer Emma Bell pitched the possibility of installing “four-way stops” at Routes 113 and 16.

According to state DOT officials, 23 crashes have taken place in Chocorua Route 16/113 during the 10-year period from 2015-24.

Eighteen of those crashes involved more than one vehicle. There was one minor injury and one possible injury during that time.

In April, selectmen voted 4-1, with Steven Schaeffer in the minority, to recommend to DOT that a four-way stop be added to Route 16 and 113 with the caveats that within a year of construction, selectmen will have NHDOT talk about how the stop signs are working and that selectmen will commit to engaging in conversations with DOT about permanent signage and the speed limit entering the village on Route 16.

But many people who responded to a Sun Tele-Talk question in March feared the stop would back up traffic for miles during the busy summer season. “That sounds like a great idea,” said one Sun reader sarcastically. “Let’s stop the flow of traffic in the middle of one of the busiest roads in our state. That’s big brain stuff right there.”

At the March meeting with DOT officials, other residents spoke out.

Linda Cook said the stop signs would create more air pollution as cars idle at the stop signs.

“I don’t think many people understand the four-way stop,” said Cook. “Nobody knows whose turn it is.”

One man said, “I think it’s a little bit of a drastic step to put stop signs on a major highway like 16 for a problem that doesn’t exist all the time.”

“All are expressing their displeasure with this proposal,” McConkey said, adding that a Route 16 corridor safety study is scheduled for later this year and that discussions about pedestrian safety at the intersection warrant a broader conversation.

McConkey believes implementing a four-way stop now may be premature and hopes state and local officials will consider postponing action until more regional input is gathered.

The proposed all-way stop, which could be installed as early as 2027, was recommended by Tamworth selectmen in April following discussions with NHDOT officials.

At tonight’s meeting residents will have an opportunity to respectfully share their views on the proposal.