Recommendations

Draft Recommendations   NEW!

Factors Considered

• Need
• Effectiveness
• Cost
• Environmental Issues
• Public Input
• Committee Input
• Destination Tomorrow (PACTS Regional Transportation Plan)
• Synergy
• MaineDOT Management Input

General Themes    

• Get the most out of the existing highway
  • Implementation of a freeway management system
    • Incident response system
      • Service patrols
      • Improved communications
    • Add variable message signs
      • Southbound, north of Exit 9
      • Northbound, south of Exit 4
    • Add permanent traffic monitoring
  • Install auxiliary travel lanes where needed for safety and improved Level of Service (LOS)
    • Improved weaving sections
      • SB and NB between Exits 3 and 4
      • SB and NB approaches to Exit 7
    • Longer acceleration and deceleration lanes at exits north of Portland
• Improve interchanges
  • Add new ramps to create full-service interchanges
    • Exit 4, NB off and SB on in South Portland
    • Exit 11, NB off and SB on at Falmouth Spur
    • Exit 15, NB on from Route 1 in Yarmouth
  • Add thru lanes along the median between Exits 5 and 7 to improve conditions at Exit 6
• Develop a multimodal system
  • Build a commuter rail service into the Portland Peninsula
    • Complement AMTRAK service and infrastructure improvements
    • Provide 30-minute peak-period headways
    • Add commuter stops at strategic locations
• Support complementary initiatives
  • Turnpike widening in Portland and South Portland
  • Explore differential tolling potential
  • Interchange projects that support park & ride facilities and transit services
    • Exit 15, Yarmouth
    • Exit 11 (and 10), Falmouth
• Recognize the financial challenges
  • The high cost of major projects
  • Operating costs of transit services
  • Changes in toll structures
    • Revenue impacts
    • Institutional
    • Technological
  • New funding sources
    • Non-transportation agencies
    • Cross-subsidies
• Prepare for beyond 2025
  • Very few bridges will require major work before 2025
  • Major bridge work on I-295 would have major impacts on traffic congestion
  • Multimodal corridors have greater flexibility
  • New technologies could affect infrastructure needs

 

Near-term Actions

• Construct Southbound auxiliary lane between Exits 4 and 3
• Install 2 inbound variable message signs
• Implement service patrols on I-295
• Improve off-ramps at Exit 7
• Construct Northbound off-ramp and improve Southbound on-ramp at Exit 15
• Construct Northbound auxiliary land between Exits 3 and 4
• Improve acceleration land at Exit 11 Northbound on-ramp
• Construct interchange access improvements at Exit 4

Last Updated - January 20, 2006