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Throughout this Feasibility Study, the terms strategy and option are used to describe
different alternatives for achieving the improved access to the redeveloped NASB.
The term strategy refers to larger transportation and land-use needs used
individually or in combination to achieve better access to the NASB. Different ways
of achieving those strategies are considered options. Potential options for a defined
strategy may include actions such as the widening of an existing roadway, addition
of turn lanes, improved traffic-signal timing, and implementation of Transportation
Demand Management (TDM) actions.
For this Study, five specific strategies were identified for evaluation. These five
strategies were provided to the MaineDOT by the Governor’s Advisory Council and
formulated through the previous NASB Reuse Master Plan study efforts conducted by
the MRRA. Focusing the evaluation effort on these five strategies ensures that the
evaluation is conducted at a sufficient level of detail in order for decision makers to
advance some of the preferred options to the permitting, design, and implementation
phases. The five strategies or needs are as follows:
Provide direct access to US Route 1 from the NASB.
Improve mobility along State Route 196 (Coastal Connector) from I-295 (Exit 31)
to US Route 1, including the State Route 196/US Route 201 intersection and US
Route 201 north to Old Augusta Road.
Improve mobility between I-295 (Exit 28) along Pleasant Street and Maine Street
in Brunswick to State Route 123.
Improve mobility along Mill Street from Pleasant Street in Brunswick to State
Route 196.
Extend the existing rail spur to the NASB.
Whereas many transportation studies speak in terms of a single “Preferred Option,”
this Feasibility Study seeks to identify a Preferred Option - perhaps more than one -
for each strategy. It is important to understand that one strategy may be forwarded
to construction independently of the others. The Preferred Options are prioritized for
advancement based on the need to accommodate base redevelopment.
Each of the five strategies has a defined Study Area, which are shown in Figure 1-1.
1.3 Purpose and Need
The intent of the purpose and need outlined in this section is to describe and support
the Feasibility Study. The purpose and need of a project establish a basis for the
development of a range of reasonable options and assist with the identification,
analysis, and eventual selection of a Preferred Option(s). The Purpose and Need
Statement is used for comparing the effectiveness and impacts of the various Study
options to the No Action Option.
Introduction 13