City of Ellsworth Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Connectivity Feasibility Study

Public Meeting #2 December 10, 2020 Thank you for joining!

The meeting will start at 6:00 PM

Please direct any questions or comments after the meeting to: Kerri Taylor, [email protected] (207) 669-6615 City of Ellsworth Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Connectivity Feasibility Study

Public Meeting #2

December 10, 2020 Welcome! Tony Grande Ethan Flynn Project Manager, VHB Project Engineer, VHB

Lisa Sekulich Patrick Adams Nate Howard City of Ellsworth, ME MaineDOT MaineDOT Technical Advisory Committee Members

Glenn Moshier Kristine Keeney Martin Rooney City of Ellsworth, ME East Coast Greenway MaineDOT

Janna Richards Steve Rowe Nate Howard City of Ellsworth, ME Maine Community MaineDOT Foundation Lisa Sekulich Patrick Adams City of Ellsworth, ME Jim Geary MaineDOT Maine Community Jason Ingalls Foundation Tony Grande City of Ellsworth, ME VHB Leslie Harlow Marc Blanchette Study Area Resident Ethan Flynn City of Ellsworth, ME VHB Carl & Anne Lusby Heather Grindle Study Area Residents City of Ellsworth, ME Meeting Agenda

Welcome and Meeting Logistics (5 min.) Instructions for Participation (5 min.) Public Meeting #1 Recap (5 min.) Presentation of Study Findings (45 min.) – Conceptual Improvements (45 min.) • Birch Avenue to Park Street (10 min.) • Park Street to Church Street (10 min.) • Church Street to Main Street (10 min.) • Main Street to Sunrise Trail (10 min.) • Opinion of Costs (5 min.) Questions and Comments (25 min.) Next Steps (5 min.) Meeting Logistics

All attendees muted Lots of time for Questions and Answers after the presentation Raise/lower your “Hand” to ask a question “live”

Q&A – type questions/comments directly into the box Phoning in…press *9 to raise your hand

Email comments: Kerri Taylor, [email protected] visit the City website www.ellsworthmaine.gov Project Overview

The City of Ellsworth and MaineDOT agreed to work together through MaineDOT’s Planning Partnership Initiative (PPI) program to conduct this Study. Study’s purpose is to evaluate and analyze connectivity alternatives between the Ellsworth Trail and the Sunrise Trail. Also included is an evaluation of the High Street / Merrill Lane intersection for pedestrian crossing improvements. General Scope of Work Tasks: 9 Review Available Data 9 Evaluate Potential Bike/Ped Path Locations 9 Develop Preliminary Recommendations 9 Develop Draft Report – Public Feedback – Develop Final Report Public Meeting #1 Recap

Presented the study area, purpose, and goals for the project

Discussed potential improvements to be considered

Reviewed project schedule, existing conditions, and base plans

Received and responded to questions and comments from participants Study Area and Existing Conditions Study Area and Project Purpose

The study’s purpose is to evaluate and analyze connectivity alternatives between the Ellsworth Trail (A) and the Sunrise Trail (B). Study Area Aerial View Existing Conditions

Spring St from Birch Ave to Park St: – Existing Ellsworth Trail ends at Birch Ave – Spring St is narrow (17’ ±) with no sidewalks and inadequate drainage – Lack of sufficient accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians – Mix of commercial and residential properties with entrances onto Spring St – Spring St parallels the railroad tracks Existing Conditions

Spring St from Park St to Church St: – Spring St is narrow (12’ ±) with no sidewalks and poor drainage – Remnants of old pavement – Lack of sufficient accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians Looking from Lincoln St to Park St – Few residential entrances onto Spring St, no commercial entrances – Spring St parallels the railroad tracks but is significantly lower – Tree cover creates a “tunnel” effect

Looking from Lincoln St to Church St Existing Conditions

Spring St from Church St to Main St: – Spring St is narrow (12’ ±) with no sidewalks – Pavement in poor condition – Lack of sufficient accommodations for bicycles and pedestrians – Commercial access onto Spring St, no residential entrances – Commercial businesses in close proximity to corridor – Existing railroad crossing mid-way between Church St and Main St – Existing railroad bridge over Church St Existing Conditions

Main St to Sunrise Trail: – Some properties in close proximity to corridor near Main St end, including the Maine Community Foundation – Boardwalk for Downeast Scenic Railroad former boarding station – South of the MCF, the existing rail right-of-way is wide enough to accommodate a shared-use path – Some properties are eligible for historical listing. (over 50 years old) Study Findings and Evaluation of Alternatives Concept Plan Development – Design Criteria

Proposed trail typically 10 ft. wide, paved (similar to existing Ellsworth Trail) Minimum 11 ft. setback from nearest rail to edge of trail, with fence between No motorized vehicles permitted Minimal proposed grade changes, minor adjustments likely needed (max. 5% as much as possible) ADA compliance for all crossings and sidewalk ramps Retaining walls incorporated at selected locations Location of Alternatives (1 – 5) - Birch Ave to Main St

1. Spring Street Pavement Preservation, Add Signage and Striping 2. Spring Street Roadway Improvements (3 potential options) 3. Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail 4. Convert Spring Street to Shared-Use Path (Park St to Main St only) 5. Convert Spring Street to Shared-Use Path and Dead-End and Realign Spring Street (Church St to Main St only) Alternative 1 – (Birch Ave to Main St) Spring St Pavement Preservation, Add Signage & Striping Features: – Little to no construction; paving only – Add signage for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and crossings – Add striping and shared-lane markings “sharrows” for bicycles in roadway

Alternative 2 – (Birch Ave to Main St) Spring St Roadway Improvements 3 Potential Options: – 1) Add sidewalk & curb, closed drainage, one-lane road w/ bike lane – 2) Yield Roadway: single paved lane w/ gravel shoulders, landscaping – 3) Advisory Shoulder Lanes: single paved lane w/ paved shoulders Spring St Roadway Improvements

Option 1: Add Sidewalk and convert to 1-way roadway with Contraflow lane Spring St Roadway Improvements

Option 2: Yield Roadway (Existing Condition?) Spring St Roadway Improvements

Option 3: Advisory Shoulder Lanes Alternative 3 – (Birch Ave to Main St) Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail Features: – New shared-use path on east side of railroad tracks – Identical to existing Ellsworth Trail – Typically at same grade as tracks

Alternative 4 – (Park St to Main St) Convert Spring St to Shared-Use Path Features: – Converts Spring St to shared-use path, closed to vehicular traffic – (Church St to Main St only) Second half of Spring St becomes a dead-end street, open to vehicles for access to adjacent commercial properties; shared with bikes and pedestrians – (Church St to Main St only) Rehabilitate pavement on remaining dead-end segment of Spring St Alternative 5 – (Church St to Main St) Convert Spring St to Shared-Use Path and Dead-End, Realign Spring St Features: – Convert Spring St to shared-use path for first half beginning from Church St, closed to vehicles – Remaining half to Main St becomes a dead-end street, open to vehicles for access to adjacent commercial properties; shared with bicycles and pedestrians – Dead-end segment is realigned away from the railroad tracks to improve safety Location of Alternatives – Main St to Sunrise Trail

1. Beals Avenue, Add Signage and Striping 2. Shared-Use Path East of Maine Community Foundation 3. Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail Alternative 1 – (Main St to Sunrise Trail) Beals Ave, Add Signage & Striping Features: – No construction – Add signage for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, and crossings – Add shared-lane markings “sharrows” for bicycles in roadway

Alternative 2 – (Main St to Sunrise Trail) Shared-Use Path East of Maine Community Foundation Features: – New shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Likely to require new retaining walls due to existing slopes near MCF – Installation of new sidewalk on south side of Main St to access trail Alternative 3 – (Main St to Sunrise Trail) Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail Features: – New shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Beginning from Main St, trail runs along west side of tracks, then once beyond MCF, crosses to east side of tracks High St / Merrill Ln Intersection

High St / Merrill Ln

High St / Oak St / Main St Hannaford’s Entrance Alternative 1 – (High St / Merrill Ln Int.) Upgrade Signals, Ramps, Crosswalks Features: – Upgrade all crossing facilities: traffic and crossing signals, sidewalk ramps, crosswalks – Construct sidewalk ramps at corners of Merrill Ln – Construct crosswalk across Hannaford Plaza entrance

Alternative 2 – (High St / Merrill Ln Int.) No Build

Features: – No build; no changes to existing condition Preliminary Alternatives Comparison Matrix

Purpose & Need:

Develop a continuous bicycle and pedestrian facility that will safely accommodate all non-motorized users, beginning at the southern end of the existing paved Ellsworth Trail and extending south to the Sunrise Trail. Preliminary Alternatives Comparison Matrix

Purpose & Need:

Birch Ave to Park St Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail – Identical to existing Ellsworth Trail – Satisfies project purpose and need Recommended Alternatives

Birch Ave to Park St Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail – Identical to existing Ellsworth Trail

Park St to Church St Convert Spring Street Into Shared-Use Path – Shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Close to all vehicles; install bollards as barriers – Cross tracks once at Park St; construct street crossing at Lincoln Street and Church Street Recommended Alternatives

Church St to Main St Convert Spring Street Into Shared-Use Path and Dead- End, Realign Spring Street – Partially closed to all vehicles – Remainder of Spring Street remains as dead-end for vehicle access to adjacent properties; shared with bikes/pedestrians – Realign the dead-end portion away from tracks to improve safety – Construct crossings at Church Street and Main Street. Cross Main Street on the west side of the tracks Recommended Alternatives

Main St to Sunrise Trail Alt. 2: Shared-Use Path East of Maine Community Foundation – Shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Add sidewalk along Main St – Beginning from Main Street, approx. 600 ft. of trail through wooded area (some property impacts) – Some retaining walls required

Alt. 3: Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail – Shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Beginning from Main Street, approx. 575 ft. of trail on west side of tracks (some property impacts) – Add rail crossing once past Maine Community Foundation, then continue on east side of tracks to Beals Avenue Recommended Alternatives

Main St to Sunrise Trail Alt. 2: Shared-Use Path East of Maine Community Foundation – Shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Some retaining walls required – Continue on east side of tracks to Beals Avenue

Alt. 3: Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail – Shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Continue on east side of tracks to Beals Avenue Recommended Alternatives

Main St to Sunrise Trail Shared-Use Path Adjacent to Rail – Shared-use path similar to existing Ellsworth Trail – Continue on east side of tracks to Beals Avenue – Connect into Sunrise Trail

– (Optional) Discontinue Beals Ave/High St intersection Recommended Alternatives High St / Merrill Ln Intersection Upgrade Signals, Ramps, Crosswalks, Pedestrian Buttons – Replace traffic signals and crossing signals with modern equipment – Replace sidewalk corners and install pedestrian ramps at all corners Summary of Recommendations

Birch Avenue to Park Street – Construct new shared-use path on the east side of the existing tracks. Park Street to Church Street – Convert Spring Street into a shared-use path and close it to all vehicles. Church Street to Main Street – Beginning at Church Street, convert approximately 200 feet of Spring Street into a shared-use path and close it to all vehicles. – Realign approximately 150 feet of Spring Street to increase offset from railroad tracks. Add signage and striping for bicycles and pedestrians. – Construct crossing over Main Street immediately west of the tracks at the Spring Street / Main Street intersection. Summary of Recommendations (cont.)

Main Street to Sunrise Trail – Progress Alternatives 2 and 3 to Preliminary Design, to assess viability and determine a recommended option – Continue to evaluate the Beals Avenue/High Street intersection

Intersection of High Street and Merrill Lane – Upgrade Signals, Ramps, Crosswalks, Pedestrian Buttons Opinion of Costs

Conceptual order of magnitude costs based on 2020 $$ Total cost of Recommended Trail Alternatives: ~$825K-$1.1M – Birch Avenue to Park Street: $135,000 – Park Street to Church Street: $110,000 – Church Street to Main Street: $165,000 – Main Street to Sunrise Trail: $415,000-$660,000 Total cost of High Street / Merrill Lane Intersection: $365,000 Includes assumptions for PE, Construction, and CE Does not include ROW, permitting, mitigation, and RR crossing costs Consideration for multiple construction projects/phases – MaineDOT Municipal Partnership Initiative (MPIs) – Projected costs for future phases likely to increase over time Questions? Next Steps

Public Meeting Follow up: Collect all feedback and ideas from tonight’s meeting (All comments provided prior to, during, and after the meeting) Prepare a summary of all comments for review by the TAC

Remaining Project Schedule: Prepare Final Report – January 2021

Looking Ahead Apply for Funding for Preliminary Design of Recommended Alternative City of Ellsworth Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail Connectivity Feasibility Study

Public Meeting #2

December 10, 2020 Thank you for participating!

Please send any additional questions or comments to:

Kerri Taylor, [email protected] (207) 669-6615