Windham adopts study proposing traffic solutions

Traffic headed south stops for a signal at the intersection of
Route 302 and Route 115 in North Windham on Wednesday.
The Windham Town Council adopted a traffic study Tuesday
that makes specific recommendations including creating
connector roads and installing a center median strip to alleviate
gridlock and reduce accidents along the Route 302 corridor.
PHOTO BY ED PIERCE   

 By Ed Pierce

Following a lengthy public discussion about the merits of proposals put forward in the North Windham Moves traffic study, members of the Windham Town Council unanimously adopted a final version of the report on Tuesday evening. As a result, potential solutions to alleviating gridlock and improving safety and mobility in North Windham are now a step closer to reality.

The North Windham Moves, Regional Mobility, Local Access Transportation Planning and Feasibility Study was commissioned last year as a joint venture between the Town of Windham and the Maine Department of Transportation, with the study conducted by Gorrill Palmer and North Star Planning. The study recommends transportation improvements along Route 302 in North Windham area through the phased creation of three connector roads, addressing access management along Route 302 such as limiting left turns through deployment of a center median, and making corridor and intersection improvements in the area.

Heavy traffic during peak travel times remains a problem along Route 302 from the intersection of Route 115 to Franklin Road and causes congestion, motorist delays and a high accident rate for motorists.

Don Ettinger of Gorrill Palmer said the study was presented to the Maine Department of Transportation on Dec. 20 and state transportation officials were supportive of its proposed recommendations.

“They are supportive of improvement and supportive of phases for the improvement work,” Ettinger said. “State and federal funding is possible, to what extent we do not know.”

Councilors attending Tuesday’s meeting said they have read and received numerous comments and concerns raised about the study’s recommendations.

“I want to reiterate that what we are adopting tonight is not a final plan down to the minuscule mechanisms,” said Windham Council Chair Jarrod Maxfield. “We are adopting the plan potentially to move forward with the work going on for the last year to move North Windham forward. We here to work with everyone in North Windham, businesses, residents, and whatever matters. We can make any changes as painless as possible.” 

A total of 12 speakers addressed the council before the study was adopted, raising concerns about the proposed creation of center median strip extending north from the Boody’s Corner intersection of Route 302 with Route 115 to the signal light for Shaw’s Supermarket.

Town Manager Barry Tibbetts said the center median idea came discussions with MDOT and Ettinger, Gorrill Palmer’s traffic engineer.

Gregory Williams of Dunkin’ Donuts told councilors that he doesn’t think putting a barrier in front of the business preventing customers from turning left into the Dunkin’ parking lot will alleviate traffic congestion on Route 302.

Williams said if that happens to access Dunkin’ Donuts driving north on Route 302, a driver will have to go through the traffic light and then find a place to turn around and have to go through the traffic light a second time.

Heather Weber, representing KFC/Taco Bell said she’s not in favor of the center median recommendation of the study.

“We do think that something needs to be done, however we think you should look at other alternatives,” Weber said. “Reconsider that median strip.”

Jim Doherty, representing Irving Oil at 746 Roosevelt Trail, said that installing a median strip along Route 302 would hurt the business.

“Customers will go through the intersection several times,” he said. “We think making right turns only will hurt our sales significantly. The impacts on business will be very significant.”

Stephen Napolitano of Dairy Queen told councilors a median strip will make it challenge for his customers.

“There’s a big price to pay and we’re going to lose a lot of revenue,” he said.

Tibbetts said that adoption of the study means a path forward for solutions to traffic congestion had been advanced, but it will be years before any improvements for Route 302 will be put in place and connector roads need to be created before that work could happen.

“The town will sit down with businesses over the next six months to have discussions,” Tibbetts said. “We want to hear how we can take your suggestions ands put them into the plan. Let’s work together so we can find solutions to help you with your business.”

Maxfield urged the business owners wary of any proposals to know that the town will do everything it can to hear their concerns and take action on behalf of the community.

“We need to see the whole opportunity,” Maxfield said. “Nobody wants to hurt businesses. “This is an investment from your town for your business. I fully support this.” <