Better plan needed for Newton-Sparta Rd.

To the Editor: Recently, I attended a meeting concerning the realignment and widening of the Newton-Sparta Road. In my opinion, the emphasis is misplaced. The proposal is to widen the road, put high impact barricades at certain places, and raise the speed limit. Instead of creating a Route 10 through Andover and Sparta, the county should find ways to encourage traffic to leave the Newton-Sparta Road and move to Route 15. The county’s plan requires the acquisition of properties, roadway realignment, an increase in speed and the addition of barricades. Two jug-handles will be created in Sparta, one near the Rev. Brown School, and the second near Sparta Commons. Left turns will be prohibited. Drivers will have to turn right and go to the nearest jug-handle to make a U-turn. The county’s proposal would be overwhelming in cost and the destruction of the rural character of the area. On the other hand, the creation of a four-lane roadway, making use of existing roads, would encourage traffic to move in the direction of Rte. 15 before it travels through Andover and Sparta. The county should encourage the state to widen Rte. 15 from its intersection with Rte. 94 to Rte. 181. The traffic light at that intersection could be removed and left turns could be prohibited from Rte. 181. Rather than raising the speed limit on the Newton-Sparta Rd., it should be lowered. As the county points out, the highest accident rate is in the area of Rte. 517 and the Newton-Sparta Rd. That’s the area where the speed limit is 50 m.p.h. A lower speed limit would encourage traffic to seek Rte. 15 as described above. The Newton-Sparta Rd. is substantially developed. The routes I suggest to facilitate traffic to Rte. 15 are substantially undeveloped. Cappy Daggett Sparta