• Phasing Plan (6/17/09)
• Proposed Plan (6/17/09)
• Concept Drawing (6/17/09)
• Existing Conditions (6/17/09)

Wednesday, June 24
Tri-Berwick Meeting
6:30 PM – Berwick Town Hall
Members of the South Berwick Town Council will meet with the elected officials and Managers from the communities of Lebanon, Berwick and North Berwick and our State Legislators to discuss regional and state concerns.

SMRPC Transportation Director Tom Reinauer explains the purpose of the study, “This is the very first step towards solving the problem of congestion in South Berwick. The goal of the study – which will take about nine months – is to identify several possible long-term solutions. We are just getting started, and are looking now for broad public input.”

“Our first goal is for the public to agree on the specific outcome they are looking for in terms of the traffic situation in town. Once we understand that, we can all start considering solutions that move us in the right direction.”

There has been one public meeting, a steering committee meeting, and an advisory committee meeting about the project.  Project personnel have created a draft Purpose and Need Statement, which is based on several different sources including comments received at the Public Meeting in December.  The Purpose and Need Statement will be used to guide the Feasibility Study staff and consultants moving forward and aid in the development of solutions and actions.

SMRPC is solciting comments and suggestions on the draft Purpose and Need Statement.  They want to know if the statement captures the outcomes we are aiming for and if it describes the need we have for a solution to congestion.

Those who would like to comment on the draft statement can contact Tom Reinaur, Transportation Director, Southern Maine RPC & Kittery Area MPO, 1 Bradeen St.  Suite 304, Springvale, ME 04083, 207-324-2952, treinauer@smrpc.org . Tom has also said he will check this thread to read any feedback posted here at the Diner.

Here’s the draft statement:

South Berwick Transportation Feasibility Study
DRAFT        Purpose and Need Statement 1_15_09        DRAFT

The purpose of the South Berwick Transportation Feasibility Study is to identify actions that will:
-    Control traffic congestion in downtown South Berwick
-    Improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and vehicular traffic in the downtown area
-    Improve regional mobility by reducing conflicts between local and through traffic
-    Provide a wider range of transportation options for residents
-    Improve transportation facilities to enhance the downtown environment
-    Provide adequate transportation access to meet the long-term economic and community development needs as outlined in the South Berwick Comprehensive plan
-    Ensure that future development decisions within South Berwick and the surrounding communities do not contribute adversely to traffic congestion

The need for the study:
-    Route 4 and Route 236, which both converge and become Main Street, do not adequately balance local and regional travel needs
-    Roadway capacity constraints and traffic conflicts during peak periods.
-    Residential streets are increasingly being used as alternative routes to meet mobility needs
-    Downtown South Berwick contains two High Crash intersections, and Main Street is a High Crash road segment
-    Insufficient transportation choices for residents and commuters

You can find agendas, meeting minutes, and other documents related to the feasibility study at the SMRPC web site.