By Carol McCracken (Post # 532)
The public is invited to attend an informational meeting to discuss the next steps for the Franklin Street corridor process and improvements to 1-295 Exit 7 – to ensure that a bicycle/pedestrian connection at Marginal Way to the Back Cove is created safely. The public meeting is set for this Wednesday, July 28th at East End Community School, 195 North Street on the Hill.* The event is hosted by the City of Portland, Maine Department of Transportation and the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System. (MDOT & PACTS)
Last year, the City of Portland and the Franklin Study Committee engaged in a public process to re-imagine an important gateway to the city. At the conclusion of this process, (co-chaired by Hill resident, Markos Markos), the public identified three designs that might help improve the transportability of the area and the interconnectedness of the neighborhood. The design alternatives included a multi-way boulevard with four lanes in the center and two side access lanes providing parking and bicycle use; an urban street with bicycle lanes and parallel parking; and an urban parkway with landscaped median, limited parking and parallel bicycle path. For more detailed information and to view the results of the Franklin Study Committee’s work, visit the city’s website at www.portlandmaine.gov/franklinstreet arterial.htm.
Wednesday’s meeting marks the beginning of the second phase of the city’s process to improve Franklin Street by gathering public input for a feasibility study that will help define the scope of work for the project. Please RSVP to 874-8823.
Also as a part of this meeting, the city, MDOT and PACTS will discuss improvements on the 1-295 Exit 7 and the Pedestrian Safety Evaluation Process including the steps needed to provide a bicycle/pedestrian connection to the Back Cove Trail from Marginal Way that is safe.
* The Wednesday, July 28 meeting is in two parts:
5:30 pm – 6:45 pm Franklin Street Feasibility Study Discussion, and,
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm 1-295 Exit 7 Discussion.