D-F selectmen authorize $25,000 for downtown traffic study

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Tractor trailer trucks needing to cross the line into the other lane in order to make the turn on and off South Street, a lack of a crosswalk near the Mill complex, deteriorating asphalt and over a half dozen major routes and sidestreets all coming together in one location are among the issues drivers and pedestrians deal with in downtown Dover-Foxcroft.

The selectmen took a step toward finding some possible solutions for the stretch of road by agreeing to use up to $25,000 for the municipality’s 50/50 share with the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) on a traffic study for the downtown. A formal motion was made by the board during an April 21 meeting.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
TRAFFIC STUDY FOR DOWNTOWN DOVER-FOXCROFT — Possible solutions to issues such as tractor trailer trucks not having adequate room for turning on to and from Route 7 and a crosswalk by the Mill complex on East Main Street will be determined by a traffic study for the stretch of road in downtown Dover-Foxcroft. The town and the Maine Department of Transportation will be evenly splitting the up to $50,000 study cost.

“Back a couple of years ago probably, we were looking at the walkability of the town and traffic flow,” Town Manager Jack Clukey said. He said some major issues identified included the difficulty for large trucks to turn from East Main to South Street, and vice-versa, on account of the narrow travelways with adjacent buildings and lack of good site visibility for a crosswalk by the Mill.

Clukey said in discussions with the MDOT, “They feel there needs to be a comprehensive traffic and pedestrian study, absolutely encompassing the major intersections by West Main Street and Route 7.”

“The study would say this is really needed,” he said about possible improvements to an area where East Main, Pleasant, South, West Main, North and Lincoln streets all come together. The area includes the major routes to Bangor, Dexter, Milo and Greenville.

“Without identifying the needs in a comprehensive way it’s hard to get those things funded,” the town manager said. “It would help us get to a point where we can do something to get those problems solved.”

The MDOT would commission the study, and Clukey said this would be funded through a matching program between the town and agency. “They would need a commitment, we could cover 50 percent of a $50,000 budget,” Clukey said, saying the study will go out to bid so the cost for Dover-Foxcroft would be up to $25,000. He said the funds are available in town accounts.

“There’s a focus on these two intersections but it’s everything feeding into it,” he said about the various travelways leading to the South/East Main Street intersection and where East and West Main streets come together.

Select Chair Elwood Edgerly said there is a greater chance of road improvements being done if the town is involved in the process.

Selectman Ernie Thomas wondered about a timeline for the traffic study. “I believe it’s 2019 that would happen,” Clukey responded.

“I would move we do this as it’s a critical piece of work,” Select Vice Chair Cindy Freeman Cyr said. “It might free things up, not immediately, and help our downtown if the MDOT says this is a need.”

“It would be good to know if there is an opportunity for public input,” she added.

Clukey said that while the study will likely determine potential solutions for some of the problems with downtown traffic, “They are not all going to be easily fixable.”

In other business, Clukey was asked about the progress being made on the Piscataquis County Ice Arena on West Main Street.

“I have not been in there, I have heard (Foxcroft Academy) is happy with the progress,” Clukey said. “If there’s not skating in July, certainly there should be skating in August.”

According to Foxcroft Academy, construction of the new $5.5 million Piscataquis County Ice Arena (PCIA) is taking shape on the interior of the building. Work started last summer and continued through the winter with pouring concrete, adding walls and currently leveling the area that will be the playing surface.

The arena is being funded by the Libra Foundation and Foxcroft Academy will manage the operations. Once finished, the building will hold a full sheet of ice for skating, hockey and other related sports and activities. The facility will also have locker rooms, seating for 250-300 fans, a concession area, meeting space and a pro shop.

Foxcroft Academy plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Piscataquis County Ice Arena on Sunday, Aug. 4 at 11 a.m., as part of 2019 FA Alumni Weekend celebration. The Foxcroft Academy alumni ice hockey game is planned to be the first official game on the new frozen surface.

The selectmen also set the summer meeting schedule, having just one regular session per month. These meeting will be Monday, June 17, Monday, July 22 and Monday, Aug. 19.