Gray
and New Gloucester continue
to feel effect of increased traffic from Turnpike
Figures released by the Maine Turnpike Authority show
that the Gray interchange and the New Gloucester barrier
have had significant traffic increases.
During the month of March in 2004, the Gray interchange
saw an average of 14,125 cars exit and enter the turnpike.
The New Gloucester barrier -toll booth- registered
20,278 cars in that same period on average each day.
The Monument: File photo
Traffic at both locations is up compared with one
year ago. In March of 2003, the average daily traffic
was 13,263 in Gray and 18,327 in New Gloucester- an
average daily increase of nearly 1000 cars and trucks
using the Gray exit and almost 2000 additional vehicles
through the New Gloucester barrier.
This year's increase follows a traffic trend in both
areas over the past several years. In March of 2000,
the average daily traffic through Gray from the turnpike
was only 6,423 while the New Gloucester barrier saw
an average of 13,531 vehicles each day.
The turnpike overall is experiencing increased traffic.
60.8 million vehicles traveled the Maine Turnpike
during 2003, an increase of 5.2% over 2002 annual
traffic volume. 2003 was the heaviest traffic year
in Maine Turnpike history. An average of 166,000 vehicles
traveled the Turnpike each day during the last 12
months.
The busiest day in Maine Turnpike history occurred
on August 1, 2003, when nearly 247,000 vehicles traveled
the highway. According to officials with the turnpike,
6 of the top 11 busiest days in Maine Turnpike history
occurred last August.
