Council approves Canal Street demonstration to test bike lanes and pedestrian plazas

The Lewiston City Council voted unanimously to permit a demonstration project on Canal Street designed to test protected bike lanes, traffic calming and temporary plaza spaces as part of a broader downtown safety and Riverfront Master Plan effort.

Public-works and engineering staff introduced the demonstration, describing a temporary installation of painted striping, vertical delineators and passive plaza treatments to move Canal Street to a single travel lane with a protected two-way bikeway and added pedestrian-focused spaces between Pine and Chestnut. City engineer Jeff Boldly and Public Works Director Kevin Gagne said the Maine Department of Transportation has reviewed and supports the concept and the department expects to share roughly 50% of project costs.

Councilors framed the vote as a low-cost way to test design changes before committing to permanent infrastructure. “These sorts of demonstration projects are a good way to test something out without committing to the the whole budget of, you know, if we were to make this permanent all at once,” Councilor Harriman said during debate.

Project details in staff materials and the consultant presentation included: - A narrowed Canal Street with one travel lane and on-street parking used as a buffer to the bike lane. - Temporary vertical delineators (glued-down pylons) and high-visibility crosswalk improvements at key intersections. - Passive plaza space between Pine and Chestnut intended for low-impact uses and improved riverfront views. - Coordination with MDOT and adherence to recent MUTCD (Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices) updates; the city expects the demonstration to be installed in late spring or early summer and remain in place through September to allow public adjustment and data collection.

Staff noted the demonstration’s scope was narrowed from an earlier concept to run from Main Street south to Chestnut rather than all the way to Cedar because of logistics and right-of-way constraints. The council approved the order to participate and seek MDOT approval; the vote was 7–0.

Public comment during the hearing included support from cyclists and local advocates, who urged clear delineation and public education so users understand the new layouts. The council and staff said they will monitor effects and be prepared to refine the layout during the demonstration.