Fix Lee Triangle

#FixLeeTriangle

Over the 2021 to 2022 holiday break I made three 911 calls in four weeks, all for accidents outside my house in the center of Lee. Just yesterday, on November 28, 2023 we had another collision with at least one motorist removed via ambulance from the scene.

These accidents aren’t just a streak of bad luck, they’re caused by a fundamental flaw in how Highway 155, Lee Hook Road, Mast Road, George Bennett Road, and Lee Hill Road come together at the “Lee Triangle.”

Beginning in the Fall of 2020, a group of Senior UNH Civil Engineering students, under the direction of Faculty Advisor and Lee resident Dr. Kyle Kwiatkowski, conducted a Road Safety Audit of this intersection.

That study identified “poor geometry and poor lines of sight” as one of the key problems with this intersection.

173 residents were surveyed and asked to assign values to their safety concerns with the intersection. “Lines of sight” had the most lopsided responses, showing that many residents believe the shape of intersection itself is a big part of the problem:

Residents surveyed as part of this study also shared these thoughts on the intersection:

“The intersection is poorly designed. Further, drivers who pass through the intersection frequently fail to signal their intentions, creating confusion and sometimes chaos. If pedestrians are present, it is even worse as one has no idea where they will be going given the lack of crosswalks.”

“I am supportive of any measure that would make this intersection safer. I live on lee Hook Road and often avoid it because I do not feel safe.”

“I am afraid that a car will come around the corner coming south on 155 as I’m trying to get across the road…Very nerve racking, especially with my granddaughters in the back seat.”

“I drive, bike and walk through that intersection often (I live within 100 yards of it). I don’t find it to be much of an issue at all for any of those things. Biking is probably the worst and even that isn’t too bad.”

So, while not everyone shares my concerns, you can see that many other residents of Lee believe this intersection presents a safety hazard that needs to be addressed.

One of the proposed solutions includes a roundabout and reorienting how Lee Hook connects to Highway 155:

This roundabout is similar in size and design to the roundabout at Main St and North Dr in Durham:

Though I understand many residents are skeptical of proposals like this one given the issues at the traffic circle at Highway 125 and Route 4, it’s worth noting that single-lane roundabouts are different from two-lane traffic circles, namely because there’s no opportunity to cause an accident by crossing a lane.

But the roundabout wasn’t the only solution presented. Another solution involved a “T” intersection that would see Mast Road meet George Bennett Road at right angle, introducing a stop sign and eliminating both of the curved offshoots of Mast Road.

Other proposed solutions were more modest, involving only increases signage and lighting. I encourage you to look at the PDF of the UNH presentation to learn more.

To date, none of these suggestions have been adopted and I’m not aware of any plans to make changes to this intersection.

The only way change will occur is if we do more than complain—though I do enjoy griping about things on NeighborLee.

We need to organize. This website and the email sign-up below is a first step in doing that.

If you want to see a change happen, please add your email address to the list I’m assembling.

I’ll keep you updated as I pursue fixing this intersection with NHDOT, town officials, and others. I’ll also make you aware of any petitions to sign, meeting to attend, or other actions that can help us #FixLeeTriangle.

Also, I may be asking for volunteers to help me. You’ve been warned.

Your Neighbor,

Cord Blomquist