To the editor:
The intersection of the Route 128 Extension and Eastern Avenue, at the traffic lights, has a long history of accidents, only possibly topped by Grant Circle.
It's time for a new look at an extension of 128 toward Rockport.
The Gloucester City Council meeting of maybe a year ago brought out very few from Rockport and not many more from Gloucester. State Sen. Bruce Tar was there, and saw little interest in solving the matter by asking the state to provide an extension to Rockport from the upper rotary, Blackburn Circle.
Most residents don't like to see change, and no Rockport or Gloucester taxpayer is happy to spend money, even if it's money we paid to the state. The other objection, and it is a very valid one, is the proximity to Babson Reservoir.
A look at Google Earth shows that, if the new extension were to cover the existing Dory Road in the industrial center and stay high and along the property lines, the closest proximity to Babson is where the road is now, and would only separate further from the reservoir as it proceeds to the Rockport end of Eastern Avenue.
At the Rockport end, there is room for something more safe than a 90-degree turn with lights.
It's really time to look at this more seriously.
Saving driving time is only one plus. There have been many accidents at that intersection and lights since the last look, and there will be more.
It's time to see if we can save some injuries and even deaths.
Joe R. Grace
Gloucester
