Saco council authorizes staff to request speed studies on Jenkins Road and Route One

The Saco City Council on June 8 authorized city staff to request speed studies from the Maine Department of Transportation for two corridors: Jenkins Road (Route 112 from Foss Road to Jenkins Road) and Route One (Elm Street to Ross Road).

Councilor Johnston, who moved the order based on a Traffic Safety Committee recommendation, said the committee established a three-step process: committee review, council authorization for the public works director to submit the request, and then the public works director or designee serving as the city’s point of contact with the DOT. "For many years the area from Foss Road to Jenkins Road has generated speeding concerns — there is substantial new housing and Saco Middle School nearby," Johnston said.

The motion was seconded by Councilor Hwitt. Council discussion emphasized safety in growing residential areas and noted that state-authorized speed limits in the downtown corridor were higher than posted limits, which local officials said could harm pedestrian safety. No councilor offered a substantive amendment to the order.

A roll-call vote approved the authorization with all members voting in favor as recorded by the clerk. The authorization directs the public works director to compile corridor information and submit formal speed-study requests to the Maine Department of Transportation on the city’s behalf.

Next steps: staff will present the compiled corridor information and a formal request package to council for final authorization to send to the DOT.