Harrison Thorp
ROCHESTER – Get used to clogged traffic at the intersection of Salmon Falls and Milton roads for the next year or so.
The intersection of Milton Road and Salmon Falls Road is being improved by the city, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be some pain for motorists, especially during the holiday season.
Flaggers are staged at both ends of the construction area to help motorists navigate the busy intersection
The intersection processes more than 12,000 vehicles per day, according to the city’s DPW, and was examined for improvement in the 2015 Milton Road Corridor Study which recommended improvements along Milton Road, including the intersection.
City officials told The Rochester Voice recently that the landing of Sig Sauer in 2020 expedited the need for the project as the gun maker would be adding additional traffic load to the intersection.
An excavator pulls dirt out of the ground to enable an underground water main replacement
that is part of the roundabout construction project
The project concept and design was discussed at several Public Works Committee meetings since 2020 and a public meeting was held in 2024. The project reconstructs around 1,500 feet total of Milton and Salmon Falls roads. The project also replaces a 75-year-old water main beneath the project footprint and extends existing sewer to the north of the intersection for potential growth.
The project also installs a left turn lane on northbound Milton Road for turns onto Cross Street.
Officials expect the construction schedule to run into October of 2027.
Traffic control will adapt during construction to allow continued use of the intersection. The contractor is SUR, which was the low bid at $4,973,351.
The use of roundabouts has often stirred controversy at to whether they are practical or not. Below are some of the advantages as well as drawbacks.
Advantages
• Increased Safety: Roundabouts eliminate the most dangerous types of crashes, such as T-bone and head-on collisions. According to federal highway data, they reduce fatal and injury crashes by nearly 80%.
• Better Traffic Flow: Drivers do not have to wait at a red light when there is no opposing traffic. This reduces delays and keeps vehicles moving.
• Lower Maintenance Costs: Unlike traditional intersections, roundabouts do not require electricity, traffic light hardware, or ongoing computer maintenance.
• Environmental Benefits: Because vehicles spend less time idling at red lights, roundabouts reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The central island provides a space for landscaping, artwork, or green space, improving the look of a neighborhood.
Disadvantages
• High Initial Cost: Building a roundabout often requires more land than a standard intersection. Buying this right-of-way and reshaping the roadway can be highly expensive upfront.
• Learning Curve for Drivers: Navigating multi-lane roundabouts can be confusing for drivers who are unfamiliar with them, sometimes leading to minor sideswipe accidents.
• Pedestrian and Cyclist Challenges: Visually impaired pedestrians may find it harder to judge when it is safe to cross without a pedestrian signal. Cyclists must also merge with traffic or use sidewalks.
• Difficulty for Large Vehicles: Oversized trucks, trailers, and emergency vehicles can find it difficult to navigate tight turning radiuses, though many roundabouts include low concrete "truck aprons" to help.
When it is completed next year Rochester will be home to three roundabouts on city property including Strafford Square, Old Dover and Tebbetts roads and Salmon Falls and Milton roads; and another at The Ridge Marketplace.
For general inquiries and concerns, contact the Department of Public Works at (603) 332-4096.
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