HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-10-27 97-441 RESOLVECOUNCIL ACHON
Date: Item No.: 91-441
Item ubjem: TOC GETRAFPICPAM"ONLOWEROA STREET
Responsible Departmerd: Engineering
Commentary:
The attached Resolve would support changing the existing 4affic circulation pattern at the
Bangor end of the new Penobscot River Bridge. As the Council is awazq there has been public
interest in changing lower Oak StvnA W two-way travel, and a public meeting was held on
October 21, 1997 to review this issue. Attached is a memorandum from the City Engineer
which provides Ruttier iM aon.
Manager's Comments:
C Mo mga
Associated hSormetiou:
Budget Approval:
Firmme Dlrenm
Legal Approval:
Ciy3alkPor
Introduced For:
Passage
Fimt Reading
❑ Refound
Page of
Assigned to councilor Tyler
CITY OF BANGOR
9)-441
October 27s 1997
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RESOLVED,
WHEREAS,
The Smte of Maine Department of Transportation has completed Construction of the new
Penobscot River Bridge, and;
WHEREAS,
The present traffic patient 9the Bangor end of me bridge consists of one way rotary
circulation on portions of Washington Street, Hancock Street, and Oak Street, and;
W[IEREAS,
The existing rotary circulation does not provide the most efficient route for vehicles to
access Broadway and the downtown area, dead;
WEIEBEAS,
Efficiency and safety for the traveling public can be improved by changing the existing
traffic PaMnt to allow two way traffic on lower Oak Street and;
WHEREAS,
MOOT is not opposed m implementing this change,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
By the City Council of the City of Bangor, that the traffic pattern on Oak Street between
Washington Street and Hancock Street be modified to allow two way traffic movement,
and
BE IT FMTHER RESOLVED,
That the City Engineer is hereby directed m work with MOOT and BACTS to implement
this change as soon as possible.
IN CITY COUNCIL 97-441
October 27, 1997
Passed E E 5 0 L V E
CLBPY To Change Traffic Pattern on Lover Oak
Street
M4
Iv �.
,/
9]-441
Cctober22, 1997
TO: City Council
FR: lames D. Ring City Engineer
SUBIECT: Penobscot Bridge Approahp)ek Street
As you know, there has been considerable public interest in changing the existing rotary traffic
pattern m the Bangor end of the new Penobscot River Bridge. Accordingly, Me Council
scheduled a public meeting which was held on October 21, IM in order M review issues
relative Wallowing two way traffic on lower Oak Stree4 end to receive public comment.
One key aspect in considering this issue is the fact that only two bridges are currently in service
due to the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge redecking project. Impacts and benefits from changing
lower Oak Street to two way mart be evalumed on Me basis of all three bridges being back in
service. Over the last several weeks, Me City Engineer and RAM staff have been working on
developing a computer simulation model which projects Wall movements in Me area with all
three bridges in service (which should occur hate November/early December), with scenarios
which resin Me existing rotary pattern m well as converting lower Oak StreetW two way travel.
BACs staff hes taken numerous traff counts and tracked movements of vehicles coming off
Me bridge m determine general destimpions. This infomnmion in conjunction with historical
traffic data was utilized to calibrate the model to optimize Me simulations and reflect most world
nmditions. Although it may appear that a change on Oak Street would be fairly simple, it was
necessary to investigate impacts on several nearby covers and intersections W inwre that other
problems would not he cremed or magnified. I world also note that Councilor Tyler, who is a
BACTS mpicwnmtive, has also been very heavily involved in this process.
At last nights public meeting, I gave a brief overview of the issues, which was followed by
presentmion of video simulations of traffic movements generated by Me computer model. These
included both retaining Me existing circulation pahem with all bridges in service as well as
changing Oak Streetm two way.
Based on Our investigations, it appears Mat converting Oak Street between Washington Street
and Bannock Street M two way will work. If Me Council wishes to make this change it should
mcorponte Me following:
Utilize the matt easterly lane on Oak Strad m allow traRc wming toward Bangor from
the inside bridge lane m continue stmightabead.
• The outside bridge lane would continue to utilize Me rotary(right tum).
• Prohibit left turns onto Washington Streetpoward Exchange) coming off the bridge.
W-441
Prohibit left turns omo Hancock Street from Oak vowed. Permitted left hums were
evaluated, but interferes with through traffic unless a seperme left turn lane is provided.
It appears Nm there is insufficient space to chance a left turn lane without impeding other
movements at the Hancock/0d: mmisectlon. It may be deirable to revisit this issue at
some point in the future, but Only ager we have some actual experience with two-way
traffic On Oak Street.
Create a separate left tum have on Oak at York Street (fm left turns toward Exchange
Street) sufficient space exists to do this.
Relaim existing center parking on Oak Street between State and York.
• Change pavement markings and signal systems as necessary and add overhead sumeage
N distinguish lane assignments.
Last nights public meeting was attended by 22 members of the public as well as various
reprewmatives from the media. A total of I I pesons spoke relative m Ne issue, with all but one
speaking in favor of clanging lower Oak Street to two way traffic. A moment was asked about
the pmmtia impact of tick traffic.
Its City Engineer indicated that the traffic studies have shown that less than 1 percent of the
total traffic is tractor traders and Nat no significant change was anticipm e1 It was also
mentioned that a Regional Tmek Rome Study is currently underway through BACTS which will
W addressing both needs and impacts of truck traffic.
On the October 29, 199) Council agenda is a Resolve which supports changing lower Oak Streat
to two way traffic. MOOT has indicated that it will support whatever position the City wishes to
take, and Nm if a change is desired, to mMerake the necessary modifications.
In the meantime, please IM me know if you have any questions or if I can provide additional
information.
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