A traffic circle in Orland makes more sense than stoplights

Jan. 29, 2026

By Bailey Bowden

In response to the Jan. 27 story about DOT's plan to install a new stoplight in Orland (“Site of 13 crashes over two decades to get stoplight”), I propose that a traffic circle would be a better solution to the problem.

There is a good opportunity for a detour using the Castine Road, Old County Road, and Gray Meadow Road. Route 1 traffic has increased tremendously in the past few years and a long-term solution needs to be identified. Construction costs are not going to decrease in the future and neither will the number of vehicles on this stretch of highway.

The installation of a traffic circle would slow traffic down while maintaining a steady flow, will be a long-term solution, and will save money in the long run. I have expressed these thoughts to DOT through their website. The DOT response was that installing a traffic circle was too expensive.

If you agree that spending money today to fix the problem for the long-term is the best option, please leave a comment on the DOT website.

–Bowden lives in Penobscot.

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