HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-14 Infrastructure Committee Minutes
Infrastructure Committee
Minutes
January 14, 2014
ATTENDEES
Councilors:
Benjamin Sprague Pauline Civiello James Gallant
Joseph Baldacci, Chair Nelson Durgin Gibran Graham
Josh Plourde Patricia Blanchette David Nealley
Staff:
Dana Wardwell Art Morgan
Others:
None
Agenda
1. Agreement with Maine DOT, WIN# 018486.00, Bangor Mall Boulevard/Hogan Road
Intersection Improvement
The Maine Department of Transportation agreement is in the amount of $230,000 for design and
construction of an additional right-turn lane at the intersection of Hogan Road and Bangor Mall
Boulevard. The Local Project Agreement specifies a Federal share of the project to be at 80% of the
total project cost, or $184,000 and the City share to be $46,000 or 20% of the total project cost.
Art explained the traffic study indicated significant right turn movement onto Hogan Road, the project
would improve movement.
2. Agreement with Maine DOT, WIN# 018486.10, Hogan Road/Stillwater Avenue
Intersection Improvement
This is a Local Project Agreement in the amount of $103,500 with the Maine Department of
Transportation for design, construction work for a dedicated right-turn lane on Hogan Road and
Stillwater Avenue. If approved the agreement stipulates a Federal share of 82,800 or 80% of the total
project costs and a City share of $20,700 or 20% of the total project cost. Art explained this was
similar with a right turn onto Stillwater Avenue.
Art stated both were expected to begin in the upcoming construction season May/June 2014.
Councilor Blanchette was concerned with the width and the merging of traffic onto Hogan Road, as
often they don’t yield. Would there be a plan to widen or have direction arrows. Art responded the
scope of work was only for Bangor Mall Boulevard, but they would look at signage on Hogan Road.
Councilor Graham expressed concern regarding pedestrian safety and crosswalks in both project areas
and asked if the roadway at the overpass was the responsibility of the City or the State. He was also
concerned about signage issues. Art responded the roadway was the City’s to maintain and the State
maintained the bridge overpass. Art responded they would make effort for pedestrian safety in this
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area. There would be construction of a crosswalk easterly to westerly from Bangor Mall Boulevard to
Hogan Road. Dana also commented the northbound off and the southbound on ramps would have
traffic signals. He also noted there was a grant the City applied for to install a crosswalk from Bangor
Mall Boulevard and Hogan to Stillwater, cross over Stillwater to Frost Drive when the state funds
become available. Councilor Durgin stated that Hogan and Stillwater Avenue was a much busier
intersection and asked if another lane would be added and the installation signage for right turn on
red. Art stated another lane was proposed and stated that better signage would be needed to
announce such and would consult the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). Councilor
Gallant asked if there would also be sidewalks installed. Dana responded there were plans from
Bangor Mall Boulevard to Stillwater on the McDonald’s side of Hogan Road. Councilor Blanchette
expressed concern for pedestrian safety crossings and suggested solar powered signs to control and
asked about the control of the timing of the signs. Dana stated these were signalized intersections and
there were standards in the MUTCD for the timing of pedestrian crossings. He suggested the City
provide public education on use of crosswalk signals. Councilor Graham suggested the countdown
lights, noting it may be more money. Councilor Durgin concurred and provided Eastern Maine Medical
Center on State Street as an example of the countdown pedestrian crossing signals. Councilor
Blanchette inquired about TIF or Bangor Mall funding and if they could tap into it for these types of
signalized crossing signs. Art stated there was a traffic TIF and impact fee for traffic movement in the
Mall area. Councilor Baldacci suggested they hold further discussions during the budget process for
those added expenditure.
Councilor Blanchette moved and it was seconded with no further discussion to enter into the two
agreements on Agenda Item #1 & #2.
Vote: Unanimous
3. Update on Maine DOT, WIN # 16681.00, Union Street Overpass Project
Art explained the project would be to do a complete reconstruction of the Union Street bridge over
Interstate 95. The project would be in two phases and work was projected to begin mid to late May.
Those phases would consist of the demolition half of the bridge and allow for two way traffic on the
other two remaining lanes.
Councilor Baldacci asked if this was totally funded by the State, to which Art stated it was. Councilor
Gallant projected a nightmare zone with potential traffic problems with this area already being very
busy and congested, the adverse impact on Fifteenth and Sixteenth Streets. Art stated Beecher Park,
Sunset Avenue, Eddyway Street, Seventeenth and the Bangor Housing area would also be affected.
Art also explained access would be totally closed on the Union Street side. The northbound on and off
ramps and the southbound ramp would be right turn only. With Sunset Drive and the Bangor Housing
area there would be no access out of their roadways, the State proposed to build a temporary road,
which would essentially be an extension of Sunset Drive connecting to Texas Avenue. The roadway
would be in place before the start of the project. When the project was complete, the roadway would
be terminated. Councilor Gallant was concerned whether Maine Developers had been briefed on the
upcoming project with increased traffic going through their areas. Art said they had been briefed and
the detour route would be on a temporary basis. Councilor Durgin asked about inbound traffic’s ability
to take a left turn off Union Street onto the northbound ramp of the interstate. Art stated there would
be no left turn onto the interstate for the duration of the project. Councilor Durgin then suggested the
need for signage. Art pointed to the alternate access for the interstate being at Hammond Street from
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Maine Avenue and the ramp at Broadway. Dana explained they had requested the State place signage
in the Griffin Road area and beyond to give advanced notice to motorists.
Councilor Baldacci announced Councilor Nealley’s arrival.
Councilor Blanchette and Councilor Graham asked for clarification of Union Street being closed and
expressed their concern for traffic being detoured down side streets that already had excessive truck
and bus use, and Councilor Gallant expressed concern for the width of the roads to be potentially used
for detouring. Councilor Durgin pointed out the safety of traveling past Fairmount and Fourteenth
Street schools. Art was in hopes the signage on the interstate to use of Hammond Street and
Broadway access would avoid usage of local roads. Councilor Gallant also noted the excessive
northbound traffic who would typically take the exit ramp to get to the City for concerts. Councilor
Blanchette would like to see lights controlling traffic at Westland and Ohio and the ability for motorists
to turn left. Dana stated there were discussion of traffic lights in that location and would be watching
closely. He also stated that Eighteenth Street and Westland were both posted “No Thru Trucks”. He
mentioned that the City had stressed the need for advanced warning to keep traffic away from
Fourteenth Street. Councilor Graham expressed another concern for the southbound accident ramp
from Ohio to I95 and could see increased issues. He requested a map showing what signs, lights, etc.
would be utilized and where they would be placed, to help with citizen inquiries. Councilor Gallant
asked why the ramps couldn’t just be shut down. Art responded he expected the State would provide
a detour plan around March or April. He also thought the State would be reluctant to shut down the
ramps entirely because of residents in the area. Councilor Nealley concurred with signage for the
concerts and suggested signage for the concert events and for Hammond Street due to it only being a
stop sign with no signal. Dana stated in speaking with the State they were very sensitive to making
changes at the request of the City. Councilor Baldacci requested the project be placed on the City’s
website and the government channel.
Dana informed the Committee of another project in conjunction with this, the reconstruction of the
northbound ramp, which is a high accident area. The alternation would include flattening and pulling
back so the ramp would be longer and to illuminate the ramp to Ohio Street.
Councilor Baldacci announced the arrival of Councilor Sprague.
Councilor Baldacci asked if this should come back to the Committee level in April. Art anticipated
having a traffic control plan and would bring back to the Committee.
It was also noted the State held a number of meetings regarding this project. Councilor Baldacci
suggested public education and bring back to Infrastructure.
Councilor Plourde thanked Staff for their patience and stated there was nothing more inconvenient
than a closed bridge, than one that imploded on itself.
There was no further discussion.
Vote: Not necessary, informational only.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:00 p.m.
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