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potential to eventually replace the lost jobs and economic activity associated with the
NASB.
A critical issue identified in the Reuse Master Plan is that access to the NASB must be
improved for the redevelopment to reach its full potential. A strategy to improve
access should consider a wide range of transportation factors, including the
adequacy and safety of the existing roadway network, feasibility of additional public
transportation options, freight and passenger rail access, and adequate
accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists.
It is estimated that ultimately under a maximum build-out scenario, the traffic
generated by the redeveloped NASB facility could increase to at least twice the
preclosure levels. This scenario has the potential to exacerbate congestion delays and
safety issues along the roadways (e.g., Pleasant Street) and at intersections (e.g.,
Cooks Corner) that are currently experiencing lower levels of service (LOSs).
Although some of the impacts may be mitigated through the creation of additional
points of access to the adjacent street system at the NASB, the 2007 Reuse Master Plan
identified certain off-site improvements as necessary to accommodate the increased
traffic volumes.
This Transportation Feasibility Study is based on recent and concurrent planning
efforts associated with the NASB and the Midcoast Region, including the Brunswick
Naval Air Station and Topsham Annex Reuse Master Plans, December 2007; the US Route
1 Corridor Study, Brunswick, 2007; the Gateway 1 Corridor Action Plan, June 2009; and
the ongoing US Navy Base Closure Environmental Impact Statement. These studies
clearly indicate that current access to the redeveloped NASB is inadequate and
would seriously constrain the successful implementation of the Reuse Master Plan and
the economic vitality that is so important to the Midcoast Region.
This Feasibility Study considers and compares, at the macro level, the transportation
efficiency, cost, right-of-way (ROW), constructability, environmental, and
community impacts of specific strategies and options, which range from relatively
low cost easy to implement improvements to major reconstruction or expansion of
the existing infrastructure. The Study considers multimodal options including the
existing and future movement of people and goods by rail, transit, truck, and
automobile, as well as the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists.
1.2 Study Area, Defined Strategies, and
Options
The Study Area for this Feasibility Study is generally bounded by Interstate 295 (I-
295) to the west between Exits 28 and 31, by State Route 196 to the north, and by US
Route 1 and Bath Road to the east and south. However, as discussed herein, specific
areas within this more general area were defined further in order to focus the Study.
Introduction 12