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MEETING SUMMARY                                                                      

 

Route 66 Study Advisory Committee Meeting

To:                      Study Advisory Committee

 

ATTENDEES:         See attached sign-in sheet

 

 

 

FROM: Jianhong Wang, PE

DATE: March 11, 2019

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On March 7, 2019, the second Route 66 Study Advisory Committee (SAC) Meeting was held at the Portland Town Hall. The following are discussion items from this meeting. A copy of the PowerPoint slides presented at the meeting and the attendance list are attached.

 

Discussion Items

  1. The meeting was opened with introductions. Tighe & Bond provided an introductory summary regarding the progress that has been accomplished.

  2. Tighe & Bond provided a presentation on the following topics

    • Review of existing and historical traffic volumes, travel speeds, collision history, 2020 traffic operations, multi-modal transportation, access management and public engagement survey results

    • Description of projected 2040 traffic volumes and traffic operations in the study area

  • Identification Of existing and future areas of concern within the network that should be investigated for potential improvements

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  3. RKG provided a presentation on the following topics:

  • Review of existing land use and market data in the study area

  • Description of planned future developments, challenges and opportunities, and zoning ideas for each town

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  4. Tighe & Bond facilitated a discussion on the material covered in the presentation to receive the Committee's comments. The following items were identified by the various committee members:

  • Potential improvements at the Route 66 and Main Street intersection area associated with the OSTA conditions of approval for the proposed Brainerd Place development

a. Install a new traffic signal at the proposed Brainerd Place development driveway along Marlborough Street {Route 66) with a short signal cycle to reduce vehicle travel speeds from Arrigoni Bridge

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b. Reduce the radius and size of the island at the eastbound Route 66 right turn to Marlborough Street to slow down vehicle travel speeds

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c. Install a RRFB for the pedestrian crossing of the free flow right turn lane from Main Street to Marlborough Street

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d. Provide pedestrian signals, push buttons, and exclusive pedestrian phases at the Route 66/Main Street intersection

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e. Pedestrian signal upgrade should be implemented between Main Street and Grove Street due to the proximity of Portland High School and Adams Market

 

  • Potential alternative mode facility improvements to the areas where the sidewalks on the Arrigoni Bridge touch down on Main Street, this area was identified as a safety concern for cyclists and pedestrians and an impediment to these travel modes

  • Review existing pedestrian activities in the area

  1. Consider dedicating sidewalk to foot traffic on one side of the Arrigoni Bridge and bike traffic on the other side

  2. John Hall from The Jonah Center for Earth and Art will provide bike facility improvement ideas in writing to.the Study team

  3. Bicycle facility improvements should be reviewed in the context of the Airline Trail Extension plans to ensure a cohesive bike facility through Portland

  4. Would it be possible to convert the Arrigoni Bridge from four-lane to three-lane with one travel lane in each direction, a center reversible lane, and bike lanes in each direction

 

  • Bus stop locations and bus service plan in the study area

  1. The MAT F Route is currently a "flag-down" service. MAT is looking to convert Route F to designated bus stops with signed bus stops and shelters in select locations.

  2. The locations of designated bus stops will be determined based on input from each town and existing ridership data.

  3. Bus pullout areas are not required along the study corridor.

  4. A designated bus stop with shelter should be considered at Quarry Heights.

  5. Bus service plans for Brainerd Place in Portland and Hampton Woods & Edgewater Hills in East Hampton are needed.

  6. The current bus schedule will be revised to meet the need for the new developments.

  7. MAT will provide the desired shelter design details to the study team.

  8. MAT may consider Dial-a-Ride service from East Hampton to the Park and Ride lot in Marlborough to facilitate transit connection to the CTTransit Route 914 into Hartford.

 

  • Sidewalks on the north side of Route 66, in front of American Distilling in East Hampton, will not be provided on the new bridge, rather wider shoulders will be provided and crosswalks on either side of the bridge will be considered.

 

  • Mid-block crosswalk is needed on Route 66 at Rite Aid driveway in East Hampton

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5. The Towns and RiverCOG will determine the membership of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) and conduct the first meeting of CAC to gather inputs from key project stakeholders and community members that are directly impacted by operations in the study area.

 

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