Here’s a link to the plan set.
https://www.maine.gov/mdot/contractors/projects/2021/023797.00-westbrook/fp023797.00.pdf
Eric S. Dudley, PE
Director of Engineering and Public Services
371 Saco Street
Westbrook, ME 04092
P 854-0660
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf Of
Dennis Marrotte
Sent: Thursday, January 6, 2022 12:09 PM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [wsmac] Re: Westbrook Intersection Improvement
Angela, Thank you for the feedback.
Yes, the new Roundabout in the USM PORTLAND Neighborhood is quite unique with
its multiple intersecting Streets !
When I was working at CMP in Portland,
I was asked to escort 2 young Engineers from a Kansas Engineering Company that
were designing the York County Inland and Coastal 115,000 Volts Grid Upgrade. A
young Woman from CA. and a young Man - from India. they were driving a Chevy
Equinox SUV.
We were down in York County all the first day. To several Substations. I was
surprised when we came to the Busy 4 Way Intersection at Rte 202 - 4 and 109.
It had been upgraded from Traffic Signals to a Roundabout. Drivers were in my
view, going thru that new Roundabout a bit too fast for me. We came from North
Berwick S to N. I had to watch for a Safe Gap before going around and up as I
was Responsible for my two Guests and their rental Vehicle. We made it around
and thru SAFE!!!
Dennis
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022, 11:43 AM Angela King
<angela@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:angela@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Thanks for the responses!
When I read articles on "improving" roads, unless there is a bike/ped voice
included in the story, it is not always clear that it will be better for those
outside of motor vehicles.
As we know, the embedded values of engineering and road design are to
prioritize speed and volume.
I've never biked or walked through this area, so this group of Westbrook
residents knows the road conditions for bike/ped better than I.
When I read:
MDOT data shows that, on average, nearly 20,000 vehicles traverse the William
Clarke Drive portion of the intersection daily, with more than 15,000 on the
Main Street portion. The DOT expects that by 2041, both traffic counts will
increase by about 4,000 cars each.
The whole idea of traffic demand management is to make alternatives to driving.
They mention commuters in the article. If there were more commuters like John,
congestion wouldn't be an issue:) But to get more people into active
transportation, they have to feel comfortable on the roads. Moving this motor
vehicle traffic faster won't encourage walking or biking.
Currently, there are more roundabout designs being considered and implemented
at intersections in the U.S. This
article<https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/20/climate/roundabouts-climate-emissions-driving.html>
mentions the many benefits – less carbon emissions (because of less idling at
traffic lights), and slower speeds reducing crashes.
I heard that the new roundabout in Portland took some getting used to, but has
gotten more positive feedback over time. There is definitely a learning curve
for U.S. drivers since this is not a common design here.
Well I just wanted to know if WSMAC gave any input on this plan. And since the
plan and quotes are now public info, I agree with Dennis to get some
clarification on this plan.
[Image removed by sender.]
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022 at 7:54 AM Dennis Marrotte
<dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
We need to Clarify that Phrase and its correct Definition.
Dennis
On Thu, Jan 6, 2022, 7:50 AM Clarrage, Katherine C.
<Katherine.C.Clarrage@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:Katherine.C.Clarrage@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
I believe the term “shortening pedestrian time” means less time pedestrians are
in the road…which can be a good thing. Kathy
Kathy Clarrage, COMS
State of Maine, Division for the Blind & Visually Impaired
151 Jetport Blvd
Portland, ME 04102
207-423-5448
Katherine.c.clarrage@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:Katherine.c.clarrage@xxxxxxxxx>
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MEDBVI<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FMEDBVI&data=04%7C01%7CKatherine.C.Clarrage%40maine.gov%7Cbe848c8aa2c4455e8b9a08d8e595d144%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637511778914485573%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=JIVmipGTEi9U%2BmwN446knoFzgLalypibGdvTUREpx0M%3D&reserved=0>
“The day you plant the seed Is Not the day you eat the fruit”
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> On Behalf Of
Carson Wood
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2022 6:54 AM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [wsmac] Re: Westbrook Intersection Improvement
EXTERNAL: This email originated from outside of the State of Maine Mail System.
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The crossing times at other intersections are so quick that an elderly person
would not be able to cross in the time given.
If this is what is meant by shortened times it is an issue
From: wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> On Behalf Of
John Brooking
Sent: Wednesday, January 05, 2022 8:00 PM
To: wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:wsmac@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [wsmac] Re: Westbrook Intersection Improvement
We have not discussed the project formally from a WSMAC perspective. The
history is that this was originally part of the 2010 William Clarke redesign,
but they ran out money.
My personal feeling is that if this project will create “a tighter
intersection, shortening pedestrian crossing times”, per the DOT project
engineer, that should be an improvement for non-motorized users as well as
motorists. But I’m not speaking for the committee.
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022 at 6:24 PM Dennis Marrotte
<dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx<mailto:dennis.marrotte1111@xxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Hi Angela,
Are you referring to the $ 3.2 M Multi Intersection Project at the Western side
of Westbrook ?
I will have to check with Kim, Lee, John and a couple others.
I am a bit concerned with the comments of the new WPD Chief. The Traffic
Back-up goes back to The Spring Street - WCD - Main Street Intersection - not
just to Mechanic Street. I would like to see the Proposed New Multi Story-
Multi Use Building on the Municipal Parking Lot off Mechanic Street delayed
until the Western Intersection Project is completed. But I'm just 1 Voice
squeeking !
Do You have any Thoughts or Suggestions on the Multi - Intersection
Construction Project for the Western side of the City ?
Thanks Angela
Dennis Marrotte
On Wed, Jan 5, 2022, 5:39 PM Angela King
<angela@xxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:angela@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>> wrote:
Was this group involved with or did you give any input on this intersection
project?
https://www.pressherald.com/2021/12/28/3-2-million-in-improvements-slated-for-major-westbrook-intersection/<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pressherald.com%2F2021%2F12%2F28%2F3-2-million-in-improvements-slated-for-major-westbrook-intersection%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ckatherine.c.clarrage%40maine.gov%7C639d36b78f2548f442bd08d9d10b2a3a%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637770668164190635%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=UGmzB37nLZZrs0Pgivf37uVru7o78xnGrTf%2BeQqDgbc%3D&reserved=0>
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--
John Brooking
Cyclist, Cycling Educator, Technologist
http://cyclingsavvy.org<https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcyclingsavvy.org%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ckatherine.c.clarrage%40maine.gov%7C639d36b78f2548f442bd08d9d10b2a3a%7C413fa8ab207d4b629bcdea1a8f2f864e%7C0%7C0%7C637770668164190635%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=f9RmpJR1kwSTjGcQodSdr9wNycQ0MiKzZCsPEMQvH7k%3D&reserved=0>
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