Final Report - VHB.com

In terms of standing structures, the area does not contain any buildings or structures
that are more than 45 years old, except for what appears to be a fragment of a wood
bridge railing within the site of the former Merrymeeting Park north of US Route 1.
The area is characterized by more recently constructed commercial developments
and trailer parks. \
5.2.3.2 Strategy 2A - Improved Mobility along State
Route 196 and US Route 201
Transportation Operations
Strategy Area 2A involves roadway improvements to three distinct areas and
evaluates five improvement scenarios, as follows:
I-295 southbound on-ramp (Option 1)
State Route 196/US Route 201 intersection and widening improvements (Options
2, 2A, 3, and 3A)
US Route 201 intersection and roadway improvements at the Topsham Annex
(Options 4 and 5)
Option 1 consists of installing a traffic signal on State Route 196 at the I-295
southbound ramp. The option also involves extending the length of the existing State
Route 196 westbound left-turn lane. The purpose of this option is to safely and
efficiently accommodate motorists turning left onto the I-295 southbound ramp. With
this option in place, operations are projected to improve from LOS E under the No
Action unsignalized condition to LOS A. The option substantially meets each
Feasibility Study objectives except encouraging multimodal mobility.
Option 2 consists of the construction of a two-lane roundabout at the State Route
196/US Route 201 intersection. The concept of the roundabout was developed and
evaluated at this intersection because it was believed – as a suggested at the public
workshop – that it would efficiently process the heavy east-west Coastal Connector
traffic flow while simultaneously introducing a traffic-calming effect that would
reduce travel speeds and, as a result, enhance the safe and efficient movement of
pedestrians and bicyclists. However, results of the operational analyses show the
westbound approach (i.e., motorists entering the roundabout from the Coastal
Connector) operating at LOS F. Additionally, the aggressive TDM program would
reduce the volume of traffic at the roundabout, but the westbound approach would
still operate at LOS F.
Options 3 and 3A consist of grade-separating the Coastal Connector/US Route 201
intersection by having the Coastal Connector bridge over US Route 201. Access to US
Route 201 from the Coastal Connector would be provided by way of connector
Conclusions 150