Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Road Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saco outlines temporary Main Street demonstration to calm traffic; installation expected late June
Summary
Public works director described temporary, low-cost safety treatments for Main Street (Beach Street to Water Street) including squared crosswalks, delineators, a temporary curb ramp, and pedestrian refuge islands. Staff will collect before-and-after speed and pedestrian data; installations are planned for late June with removal in late October.
Director Moore told the council the Main Street Demonstration Project, funded through a Safe Streets for All grant, will install temporary traffic-calming and pedestrian-safety measures from Beach Street to Water Street.
The treatments described include squaring crosswalks, painting fog lines and hatching, installing delineators to narrow vehicle lanes, a temporary curb ramp supplied by MaineDOT, and a pedestrian refuge island at Storrs Street. Staff noted they will measure vehicle speeds and pedestrian activity before and after installation and run a user-survey similar to last year's Thornton Academy demonstration.
Moore emphasized these are temporary, low-cost and quick-to-adjust measures: "It's nothing permanent," Moore said. Installation is expected in late June with removal planned for late October, and the Traffic Safety Committee will review the project at its upcoming meeting.
Councilors asked about adding a left-turn arrow at the Ocean Park approach and whether both ends of temporary islands should be marked with delineators; staff said those refinements can be considered and added if needed. Councilor Hewitt raised concern about large-turning-radius needs near Pepperell Square for tractor-trailers; staff said the design will preserve turning radius.
The demonstration proceeds to Traffic Safety for committee action and will return to council as needed after evaluation.
