2020.02.03 Council Agenda Item 6

Background:

In the fall of 2016, the Towns of Falmouth, Cumberland and Yarmouth began work, with assistance from consultant TY Lin, on a detailed plan to upgrade the entire length of the 4-town Route 1 corridor to increase safety and access for bicycles, pedestrians, buses, trucks, and passenger cars. This plan is known as the "2018 North of Portland Route One Complete Streets Plan." This project was authorized by the Council on May 27, 2015 (item 7).

The method of planning known as “Complete Streets” is based on the understanding that streets should be safe and accommodating to all users and all modes of travel. Treatment will depend on context and should balance the needs of all users. Each of the study area communities identified locations that should be the focus of a detailed evaluation and those where general recommendations were appropriate. The focus in Falmouth was on an investigation of long-term improvements at the Route 1-88 intersection.

Short-term changes at the Route 1-88 intersection implemented in 2016 reflect recommendations from a FHWA-sponsored Safety Audit, but did not address future, long-term improvement needs. The short-term improvements were reviewed by the Council on September 12, 2016 (item 5). A staff memo outlining the findings and recommendations of the safety audit is here. The site plan for the short term improvements is here. Minutes of the September 12, 2016 meeting are here. Various changes were made, including the removal of the northbound right lane that merged into Route 88, which was changed to a dedicated bike lane. This was done to remove the need for cyclists to ride in the middle of a high-speed traffic lane in order to go straight on Route 1.

The attached memo contains excerpts from the 2018 Route 1 plan that focus on the long-term improvement options for the Route 88 intersection. The plan was developed with public input: a survey was conducted in November 2016 and a public meeting was held in Falmouth on February 16, 2017 to get feedback on the draft recommendations.  The recommended plan includes two options for a roundabout at the Route 1-88 location.

Request:

Staff is seeking guidance from the Council as to if, and how, to proceed with the longer-term concepts proposed in 2018 North of Portland Route One Complete Streets Plan. For example, if the Council is interested in further exploring these options, additional public input could be sought on the concepts.

Attachments:

• Excerpts from the Route 1 plan that focus on the Route 88 intersection

Links:

• 2018 North of Portland Route One Complete Streets Plan
• Appendix to 2018 North of Portland Route One Complete Streets Plan