Opinions Sought on Roundabout Safety

A walker along Route 109/Main Street near the Center for Shopping

Photo: Lee Burnett

By Lee Burnett

Transportation planners are proposing major investments to make it safer for walkers and cyclists to navigate Sanford’s busiest intersection and nearby roads. They want feedback on their improvement ideas.

The Sanford Department of Public Works and Maine Department of Transportation are proposing to build sidewalks, bike lanes, multi-use bike paths and upgraded crosswalks in the vicinity of the Route 109/Route 4 roundabout in South Sanford. That intersection sees about 30,000 cars a day, according to MDOT figures.

The upgrades are needed because of noticeable use by walkers and cyclists in recent years, according to Public Works Director Matthew Hill. The biggest driver of new use is the hundreds of units of housing developed along Patriots Lane, although the entire area has seen residential and commercial development.

Hill sought a partnership with Maine DOT to plan investments through the state’s Planning Partnership Initiative. The PPI would make Sanford eligible to share construction costs with the state as well.

“The city is actively seeking partnerships to support our community. Historically, we have had a great relationship with Maine DOT and look forward to future opportunities,” Hill explained in an interview.

The proposed improvements will be presented at the Sanford City Council meeting at 6 pm March 18. Planners are also seeking citizen input through an on-line survey. The link is here: bit.ly/sosanfordppi

The proposed improvements are as follows:

• Add bicycle lanes and a sidewalk along the north side of Main Street/Route 109 from Patriot’s Lane to the roundabout.
• Add a multi-use path along the north side of Main Street/Route 109 from Westview Drive to the roundabout.
• Add a multi-use path along the east side of Route 4 from Country Club Road #1 to the roundabout.
• Add bicycle lanes and a sidewalk along the west side of Route 4/Alfred Road from the roundabout to the School Street/Gavel Road intersection.
• Add ADA-compliant crossings at the Route 109/4 roundabout.

The idea of improving bicycle-pedestrian safety seemed to be welcome to a few residents of Patriots Lane who were interviewed by the Sanford Springvale News this week.

Joshua Hesch was sitting at a picnic table preparing some vegetables for dinner when he was asked about planned improvements. He skateboards and said he would use new bicycle-pedestrian facilities on weekends and maybe weekday evenings.

“It would enhance my life in so many ways, more than the safety of getting there,” he said. “It would be cool to be able to go all the way to frickin’ Smitty’s.”

Stefanie Chiasadona was helping her mom in a walker get into her apartment.

“That would be a great choice,” she said. She said there are no sidewalks along Patriots Lane, and she worries about children’s safety. “When kids play here, they dart right around cars. It’s not a walker-friendly street.”

Jacob Emery was walking his dog along Patriots Lane.

“I feel like it would be a good thing,” he said. “A lot of people walk around here.” He said he’s seen people walking through the roundabout and he worries about their safety. “It’s probably not the brightest idea, but you do what you gotta do.”

Renee Morin contributed to this story.