In 2024 MaineDOT and the Initiative for Digital Engineering and Life Sciences (IDEALS) applied for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) GRANT to create connections, improve safety, and facilitate access for the multimodal traffic in and around the future campus of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University.
The Scope of Work for this project includes eight different elements, organized into three components under the Pathways to Bridge Gap RAISE Grant. This initiative is designed to create connections, enhance safety, and improve multimodal access in and around the future campus of the Roux Institute at Northeastern University in East Deering.
Design efforts for several project elements began during the Northeastern University Campus Site Development, led by the Digital Engineering and Life Sciences (IDEALS) team. These initial designs, along with new project components, will be advanced through a series of MaineDOT construction projects funded by the RAISE Grant.
A virtual Public Meeting was held in May 2025 to highlight the efforts involving the first component of work, Component 1 - Early Action Projects (contract awarded/construction began June 2026), which includes the following three elements:
- Shoreline Stabilization - Coastal hardening efforts will improve the resilience of the shoreline adjacent to the campus path, strengthening the area against the impacts of climate change.
- New Coastal Path - A new multimodal pathway will trace the campus perimeter and shoreline, providing key connections to the shared-use bridge, the Back Cove Path, Sherwood Street shoreline, the campus itself, and nearby bus stops.
- Sherwood Street Improvements - Enhancements will include the addition of a shared-use path and sidewalk along Sherwood Street, between Veranda Street and Bean Pot Drive, improving pedestrian and cyclist safety and access.
Component 2 - Campus Access (estimated start early 2027)
- Washington Avenue Improvements - Formalize two lane approach on Presumpscott St, shorten pedestrian crossings, modify traffic signals, thermoplastic speed limit markings with speed feedback signs
- Washington Ave. and Veranda Street Improvements - Eliminate south bound left turn to buses only, traffic signal modifications, improved pedestrian features such as leading pedestrian interval, blank out signs, and new detectors.
- Baxter/Bates/Exit 9 Off-ramp Improvements - Slip lane converted to bikes only, flashing all way stop signs, Baxter east bound lanes reduced to single through right lane, reduction in intersection width, queue detection on ramp with advanced signage, improved sight distance.
Components 3 - New Back Cove Trail Extension/Connection (estimated start early 2028)
- New Back Cove Trail Extension/Connection - Improved west-to-east connection , which will connect existing trail to new shared-use bridge and new pathway under Tukey's Bridge adjacent to I-295 bridge abutment.
- Back Cove Trail Access Point Improvements - widening existing access points to the bridge and adding lighting.
- New Shared-Use Pathway Bridge - A new 825' long, 14' wide, parallel path to the east side of Tukey's Bridge. This will connect Back Cove Trail and Eastern Promenade Trail with coastal pathway and Roux campus.