REPORTS, TRANSCRIPTS, DOCUMENTS, LAWS

(in reverse chronological order)

14 April 2011.  MDOT announces "Capital Biennial Work Plan  for years 2012-2013.

November 2010. Documents and links relating to vehicle speed and lane capacity.

    "Two Lane Road Analysis Methodology in Highway Capacity Manual"   (63 pages)

    Four page excerpts with graph from above study  (including page 4 graph)

    Statement by Theodore Goldsmith of vehicle capacity and speed

      He wrote:  "Traffic engineers consider that one lane of an optimum highway can carry a maximum of about 2000 cars per hour. Capacity varies with speed from about 750 cars per hour at 5 mph (bumper to bumper) to about 1000 cars per hour at 70 mph. The maximum capacity occurs at 25 – 35 mph. The cost and other social impact of increasing highway space in or around American cities is easy to imagine."

    "Free-Flow Speed and Flow Rate" (Looks at the issue from a different perspective)

    "Car Almanac" From the perspective of supporters of bicycling  where it is stated:

"One road lane can move about 2100 cars per hour no matter what their speed. [If they go faster, then they're spaced farther apart, to give enough room to brake. "

    "Highway Capacity Manual of 2010"

    Maximum flow rates on two-lane highways from HCM 2000 At page one, this 14 page document states, "Maximum flow rates on two-way streets: 1700 cars/hour in one direction and 3200 in both directions"

   Federal Highway Administration: "Procedures for estimating highway capacity"

MDOT PowerPoint Presentation for 22 June 2010 Public meeting  in Wiscasset.

Wiscasset Tax Map showing properties affected by "Double Gas By-Pass" Route.

R.O.A.D. GRAPH AND ANALYSIS  showing Wiscasset traffic decline beginning in 2000. -July 2010, as compared to previous MDOT projections for Average Annual Daily Traffic, and Summer Average Daily Traffic.

FACT SHEET  showing proposed Wiscasset N8C bridge to be second longest in Maine.- July 2010

Maine DOT Phase II Report - September 2009

Minutes of the 2007 (1) and 2008 (13) meetings of the MDOT Wiscasset By-Pass Task Force

Maine DOT Phase II Alternative Analysis   - November 2008

Link to Town of Wiscasset Documents including the 2008 Comprehensive Plan.

See, specifically, Section 8, TRANSPORTATION

MDOT Draft Environmenal Impact Statement - October 2007

Truck Volume Survey for Gateway 1  March 2006.

"Are We There Yet? A Report on Summer Traffic Bottlenecks and Steps Needed to Ensure that Our Favorite Vacation Destinations Remain Accessible

In 2005, the American Highway Users Alliance did a nationwide survey of Summer/Vacation Bottlenecks. Maine's only entry was Route 3 to Acadia National Park.

Sensible Transportation Policy Act, as passed by the People of Maine in 1991.

Section 3: Transportation policy. It is the policy of the State that transportation planning decisions, capital investment decisions and project decisions must:
    A. Minimize the harmful effects of transportation on public health and on air and water quality, land use and other natural resources; [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]
    B. Require that the full range of reasonable transportation alternatives be evaluated for all significant highway construction or reconstruction projects and give preference to transportation system management options, demand management strategies, improvements to the existing system, and other transportation modes before increasing highway capacity through road building activities; [emphasis added here.] [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]
    C. Ensure the repair and necessary improvement of roads and bridges throughout the State to provide a safe, efficient and adequate transportation network; [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]
    D. Reduce the State's reliance on foreign oil and promote reliance on energy-efficient forms of transportation; [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]
    E. Meet the diverse transportation needs of the people of the State, including rural and urban populations and the unique mobility needs of the elderly and disabled; [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]
    F. Be consistent with the purposes, goals and policies of the Comprehensive Planning and Land Use Regulation Act; and [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]
    G. Incorporate a public participation process in which local governmental bodies and the public have timely notice and opportunity to identify and comment on concerns related to transportation planning decisions, capital investment decisions and project decisions. The department and the Maine Turnpike Authority shall take the comments and concerns of local citizens into account and must be responsive to them. [RR 1991, c. 2, §88 (COR).]

Designation of Wiscasset Historic District 1973