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DOT and Candia officials discuss interim fixes, long-term redesign for Exit 3 intersection
Summary
State DOT and Candia officials discussed immediate measures — illuminated/flashing stop signs and rumble strips — and longer-term geometric fixes for the complex Exit 3 intersection; DOT said it will pursue interim illumination and consider the site for the 10-year plan.
New Hampshire Department of Transportation staff and Candia Select Board members on Feb. 10 reviewed safety options for the Exit 3/Old Candia Road intersection, a location officials described as unusually configured and prone to crashes.
DOT representatives said short-term steps could improve safety while a geometric redesign — potentially including a roundabout — remains a longer-term, multi‑million-dollar project requiring inclusion in the department’s 10‑year plan. "Since last March, we've actually implemented always stop at, I think, 6 locations in the state," said John Stevens, a DOT representative, citing recent state experience with all-way stop control at rural intersections.
Why it matters: Town officials described repeated crashes and near-miss crashes at the intersection, including incidents attributed to driver confusion about which approaches stop. DOT staff, police and residents all urged a mix of short- and long-term fixes to reduce crash risk.
Short-term options presented to the board included larger and illuminated/flashing stop signs, intersection beacons, solar-powered flashing stop signs, rumble strips on the eastbound approach and improved sight-line treatments. DOT described those measures as relatively low-cost and readily deployable with either municipal maintenance agreements or department funding in some cases. "If the illuminating issue becomes an issue for DOT, that would only be because you wouldn't want to set a precedent," Stevens said; he added he would discuss the matter with the DOT commissioner.
Longer-term solutions discussed included geometric changes to the intersection corridor and possible inclusion of a redesign in DOT’s 10-year capital plan; DOT noted a full geometric redesign could be a multi‑million‑dollar project and would require capital funding and environmental/permitting review.
Police and local officials reported results from short-term tests. The police chief said a temporary flashing speed/sign unit had appeared to draw drivers’ attention when used near the intersection.
What’s next: DOT staff said they will pursue an initial, interim step to illuminate or otherwise make the stop signs more conspicuous and will raise the item with the DOT commissioner and in highway-safety funding channels; the department also encouraged the town to remain involved as design options are refined and any 10‑year plan entries are developed. DOT asked for coordinate data and traffic counts to refine options and said it would return with further recommendations.
