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Study Purpose and Need Statement

Date: 10/09/09

Gorham East-West Corridor Study

Study Purpose and Need Statement

September 29, 2009

Study Background

The Gorham East-West Corridor Study (Study) is the first phase of a two to three-phased effort to identify prudent, reasonable, feasible, and fiscally responsible short-term and long-term transportation and land use strategies within the four communities of Gorham, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook. The Study is a product of the 123^rd Legislature’s Resolve Chapter 95 and the 2007 Joint Resolution of the four communities identified. If warranted, a Phase 2 of this study would provide a more focused and detailed evaluation of the Phase 1 recommended strategies and would include a refined Study Area.

Study Purpose

The purpose of the Gorham East-West Corridor Study (Study) is to identify and evaluate a range of potential solutions to area transportation and land use needs, resulting in the identification of prudent, reasonable, feasible and fiscally responsible transportation and land uses strategies in accordance with Maine’s Sensible Transportation Policy Act (STPA), Growth Management Act, and the Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Study will consider the input of Study stakeholders, including the public. Specifically, the Study will:

Identify existing and future transportation deficiencies
Identify existing and future land use deficiencies and opportunities
Identify and evaluate sustainable* transportation and land use strategies that will provide for the safe, cost-effective and energy-efficient movement of people and goods within, between, and through the Study communities, impacted communities, and Study Area, as well as to and from the Maine Turnpike/Interstate 95, I-295, U.S. Route 1, the Portland Jetport, the Port of Portland and the Portland Transportation Center

- The transportation strategies should complement local comprehensive planning documents to promote regional economic growth and land use management continuity between adjacent communities and along transportation networks

- The land use strategies should enhance and protect the transportation network

Identify reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, promote reduction of single occupancy transportation frequency and distance to employment, reduce our nation’s dependence on oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health
Consider and manage effects of the transportation and land use strategies on conserving the study area’s rural, cultural and historical character, its natural resources and its wildlife habitat
Provide recommendations of strategies that are deemed to be prudent, reasonable, feasible, and fiscally responsible methods to address existing and future transportation deficiencies while promoting integrated state, regional, local and private land use and transportation planning as a basis for a subsequent phase (Phase 2) of evaluation in a manner which will allow results to be used during future state and federal permitting of any proposal that may proceed to construction
Provide land use recommendations to be implemented by local or regional governments that complement the transportation strategies

Study Need

The need for the Study is based on present and future transportation deficiencies and land use deficiencies and opportunities that have been identified in past studies. Key transportation corridors in the Study Area currently follow State Routes 22, 25, 112, 114, 112 (Gorham Bypass), U.S. Routes 1 and 202 and Interstate Routes 95 and 295. Needs for the Study fall within the topics of transportation deficiencies, land use deficiencies and opportunities, and economic sustainability and opportunity.

Transportation Deficiencies

Increasing congestion that reduces mobility along certain key transportation corridors in the Study Area
Increasing congestion on certain key transportation corridors in the Study Area resulting in through-traffic detouring onto local and neighborhood roadways
Potential for increase in identified high crash frequencies and locations
Inadequate or deficient roadways not meeting current safety and design guidelines
Inadequate facilities for movement of people and goods
Inadequate facilities for pedestrian, bicycle and alternative transportation modes, resulting in limited transportation choices

Land Use Deficiencies and Opportunities

Reduce congestion and other transportation deficiencies that threaten neighborhoods and quality of life
Recommend policies or ordinances that do not compromise transportation safety
Recommend policies or ordinances that plan and provide for compact, walkable, bikeable, transit-supportive communities
Recommend policies or ordinances that support all modes and create hubs for mode connection,
Discourage the unplanned loss of open space, including agricultural, rural and unfragmented wildlife habitat
Encourage coordinated and complementary zoning

Economic Sustainability and Opportunity

Support local and regional economic growth and stability, tourism and recreational opportunities

Study Issues

Alternative transportation and land use strategies will be evaluated against the preceding Study Purpose and Need Statement, which is based on issues identified by the four municipalities and Study stakeholders. These issues are summarized below:

Travel Times/Capacity:

Inefficient travel limits economic development and tourism opportunities and threatens quality of life
Lack of modal choices in the region (also a system connectivity issue)
Increasing travel time and distance between homes and jobs in the region
Growing congestion on key transportation corridors in the region, including State Routes 22, 25, 112, 114, 112 (Gorham Bypass), US Routes 1 and 202. and Interstates 95 and 295, all having the undesirable effect of traffic moving onto local and neighborhood roadways;

System Connectivity:

Limited connections to interstate highways, major arterials, trails, potential Mountain Division line and between community hubs -- all are necessary to move people, goods and services safety and efficiently
Limited east-west connectivity to western Maine into New Hampshire

Local and Regional Growth, Zoning and Planning:

Steady residential and commercial growth in the four communities and region
Steady loss of new and existing transportation capacity due to suburban growth trends
Loss and fragmentation of rural lands and habitat due to limited or no zoning and disconnect between transportation and land use planning
Limited and complex nature of regional inter-municipal cooperation resulting in lack of organized regional inter-community planning
Aging population of region that requires more modal choice and supportive land use patterns [social issue]
Limited funds and allocation of funds for transportation and land use actions [overall government issue]
Concerns with public safety/emergency response
Economic, energy, regional and community sustainability
Lack of infrastructure planning and funding
Low density development with minimal mixed use resulting in limited transit opportunities

Energy:

Inefficient use of energy resources
Lack of low-cost, energy-efficient transportation choices for consumers
Lack of job opportunities within an optimal commuting distance

*NOTE: Below is a generally accepted planning definition for the word sustainable:

“…development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (Brundtland Commission, 1987)