MaineDOT to Partner with Sanford

New crosswalk signage is expected to be installed around the city by the end of this year. 

Photo: Pixabay

By Renée Morin 

In his report to the City Council on Feb. 6, 2024, City Manager Steve Buck detailed the many projects that will be undertaken in collaboration with the Maine Department of Transportation over the next three years. These projects include replacing most of the city’s traffic lights and other street and traffic improvements throughout the community. 

The end of this year should see the completion of the River Street reconstruction. MaineDOT has programmed the High Street reconstruction project for 2025. 

The RAISE Grant projects, which include the reconstruction of parts of Route 109/Main Street, Washington Street, School Street, Cottage Street, the full length of William Oscar Emery Drive and Riverside Avenue, and the Emerson Street Park and Ride will begin in 2026. 

The new traffic light at the intersection of Route 4 and School Street will be installed this spring. A traffic light at the Route 4/Alumni Drive/Jagger Mill Road intersection is planned for 2025. 

By the end of this year, replacement of 13 traffic lights is expected to begin, with most of them being located along Main Street. These new lights will interconnect with SanfordNet Fiber, creating “a smart light system citywide,” according to Buck. 

Along with new traffic lights, there are plans to install crosswalk signs throughout the city, with funding from the Pedestrian Heads-Up Safety Grant.  

Over the course of 2024, light capital paving is scheduled for both Shaw’s Ridge Road and Oak Street. A repaving of Route 202/Winter Street is set for 2026. 

The city and MaineDOT plan to replace a large culvert on Route 202/Lebanon Street this year, with the Powers Bridge on Route 4 set to be replaced next year. 

A Planning Partnership Initiative (PPI) has been drafted by Public Works Director Matt Hill, to be sent to MaineDOT regarding future projects in South Sanford; specifically, the roundabout and the area surrounding it. In his written report to the Council, Buck elaborated: 

“The intended goals of this study are to coordinate future projects and development while addressing the growing need for multi-modal transportation considerations. This will help to support ongoing economic development, take full advantage of upcoming technological innovations, and to ultimately improve the tax base in order to better fund maintenance and additional improvement efforts in the future.” 

Hill’s Draft Application will be put forward to the City Council once the current administrative review is completed. Buck’s report includes an acknowledgement of Hill’s efforts “to gain future capital improvement funds through State and Federal initiatives using the PPI and further cultivating our City’s relationship with the Maine Department of Transportation.