In an effort to potentially save lives, state officials installed new stop signs on Mountain Road in Concord at the intersection with Hoit Road this week.

The intersection has seen an increase in traffic since the new Market Basket plaza opened up at Merchants Way near Exit 17 off Interstate 93.

“The goal of this project is to improve overall driver safety by reducing the number and severity of motor vehicle collisions,” state officials announced.

Before the new stop signs were installed, traffic could flow north or south on state Route 132, which is called Mountain Road in Concord. Traffic traveling east and west on Hoit Road had to stop at the intersection.

State transportation officials hailed the creation of “all-way stop” intersections are considered “lifesaving projects,” as data shows a significant decrease in motor vehicle fatalities and serious injuries at rural intersections.

Portable message boards will be stationed near the intersection for about a month notifying local road users of the change in the traffic pattern.

Farther up Hoit Road, crews repainted the traffic lines surrounding the two-lane roundabout that leads to the shopping plaza. That work is expected to continue through Thursday and drivers are cautioned to expect delays.