If there had been a shovel ready plan for a tunnel bypass starting at the
Westbrook line and emerging on Westbrook arterial just before the turnpike ten
years ago we wouldn’t be talking about any of this.
I’d written an article many years ago mentioning the trolley that once
existed closing in 1933.
In the article I’d expressed how, at that time, in fifty years traffic would
be like Boston.
I’d thought not only of tunnels for cars but a state of the art subway
system that followed what once was a trolley system that went from Westbrook to
South Windham to old orchard beach. The original million dollar bridge was
built for the trolley.
I hoped we would avoid elevated platform highways that divided Libbytown
bringing on our own big dig before all the money was wasted on traffic relief
that had greater unseen consequences.
I know I’m a dreamer and am in the view of most believe these ideas are
crazy. 12
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf ;
Of Dennis Marrotte
Sent: Friday, November 24, 2017 4:03 PM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [wsmac] Re: The Future Upgrading of the Western End of William Clarke
Drive
Hello Phil,
Thank You Phil for your candor and response. This is generating a lot of
conversation ! I agree with needing to maintain traffic Flow on WCD given its
original Role as a Bypass for Main Street commerce.
The problem or difficulty with that is WCD today is really not a Bypass with
the Signal Controlled Intersections at Saco, Mechanic, Spring and Stroudwater
and the business entrance/ Exit for Hannafords. BUT, WCD, when the West end is
upgraded, only then will the traffic pressure on Main Street be reduced and, in
turn, Main Street Crosswalks may become Safer to use.
I agree that having WCD Speed Limit lowered to 25 from 35 will be impossible
with the DOT, but with the added 2nd Thru Lane for the Saco Street
Intersection, the Traffic Signals will be the ONE SPEED CONTROL, and maybe, the
Crosswalks. That is my Justification for having both WCD and Main Street Speed
Limits at 25 MPH, which would also avoid Speed Limit confusion on both WCD and
Main Street.
Have a Safe and Great Weekend !
Dennis
On Nov 24, 2017 3:41 PM, <pdsflynavy@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:pdsflynavy@xxxxxxxxx> >
wrote:
John is correct. And not only do they have the final say - they often have the
ONLY say in my experience with them the past few years.
Just my 2 cents - won’t be a snowballs chance in you-know-what of DOT dropping
this speed on WCD, unless they bump up the speed on Main St.
And we know - and don’t want - THAT to happen. Solving one problem to create
another. Traffic must flow.
Thank God they built that railroad & trolley line over 125 years ago - where
WCD is today . Can you just IMAGINE the traffic today - if we only had Main
St?!?
Happy Friday all,
Phil
Phil Spiller, Jr.
Captain, JetBlue Airways
Commander, US Navy Reserves
Economic Development, Westbrook, ME
850-529-3283 <tel:(850)%20529-3283>
Honor the Past. Engage in the Present. Embolden the Future.
On Nov 24, 2017, at 2:51 PM, John Brooking <johnbrooking4@xxxxxxxxx
<mailto:johnbrooking4@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
I'm sure the DOT has the final say about the posted speed, and I'd be very
surprised if they would consider 25, given that it is 35 on the rest of WCD,
and becomes 40 outbound to Gorham just past Conant Street. Are you proposing 25
for all of WCD?
If blocking an intersection is a recurring problem at an intersection, I
suppose we could make that signage request to Eric.
On Wed, Nov 22, 2017 at 10:45 AM, Dennis Marrotte
<dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx> > wrote:
When the Intersections of WCD with Saco Street, New Gorham Road and the western
end of Main Street are completed, with WCD becoming 2 Lanes , East and West
bound, ( Is that correct ? ), what will the Speed Limit be posted as for WCD ?
My concern is that 35MPH, the current Speed Limit, will be too fast with the
two Thru Lanes in both directions, which could, possibly lead to more accidents
, and Pedestrians being injured or fatally injured. Perhaps, 25 MPH could be
the new Speed Limit when the upgrade work is completed.
Another concern is seeing angry drivers west bound,, on WCD last night at the
Spring Street Intersection, due to drivers coming downhill, on Spring, across
WCD, and not paying attention to the changing traffic signals resulting in all
4 lanes of WCD being blocked, with the Spring Street lane to Main Street backed
up across WCD.
Perhaps a " DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION " SIGN/S should be installed on the South
side of Spring Street. That has worked very well at the WCD westbound lanes
at the Mechanic Street Intersection.
Dennis Marrotte
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