Is this the Most Useless Traffic Light in Bangor, Maine?

Sometimes things just don't make sense until later.

You live anywhere long enough, and you start to see changes that have happened over the years, you're often left wondering how these things came about. For instance, when I was a kid, the entire area where the Maine Savings Amphitheater looked entirely different. Dana's Grill was where the bank is, as was a Mack truck dealership.

Read More: Does This Intersection Qualify as the Most Stupid In All Bangor?

Even further back, the Star Beef Company basically sat where the actual venue is. Overall, it  had a totally different vibe than when you go down there today. Not really a surprise. But at the time, it always seemed like progress was "ruining" things. But occasionally, things change. And sometimes those changes seem downright stupid.

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Who doesn't love new traffic lights?

In the old days, which weren't all that long ago, the old Bangor dam/waterworks building on State Street was just a dilapidated old building that didn't do anything but attract unhoused people and kids looking for an empty building to break some windows. Although, there were some pretty cool catacombs under there. Maybe I did or did not, go into those back in the day.

These days, that area has been transformed into living space. Lord knows Bangor has always needed all the living space it could get. And presumably along with that, came a traffic light at the entrance. Once upon a time, you could just cruise right through there, and continue on to Veazie, or up Hogan Road to the mall area.

Has this now become the most useless traffic light in Bangor?

I know that 9 out of 10 times you go through there, you will never have to stop. But every other year, you'll have to stop unexpectedly for one car to come out of that apartment complex. Traffic, in my opinion, is never quite so bad that it warrants a light, but as folks on Reddit pointed out there may be a real reason for that light.

Railroad tracks run parallel to State Street, and it would seem that the light is there as an added layer of safety for people, being so close to a moving train and all. On the other hand, I hardly ever see a train go through there. They probably do all the time, but I've never stopped for one. So while it may seem pointless, it might just be an extra safety precaution. So maybe, we just get over it...

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