Rockland councilors contemplate preliminary Camden Street Project designs, figures
ROCKLAND — In the future, Rockland’s residential/commercial corridor comprising Maverick Street to the Rockport town line could look far different than it does today. If the Rockland community approves conceptual designs presented by Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers, drivers may see a roundabout, raised islands, grass esplanades, and mediums landscaped with trees.
At Rockland’s city council meeting, Monday, Jan. 5, civil engineers Don Ettinger, Jr. and Thomas Gorrill, of Gorrill-Palmer, presented a preliminary project cost of $4.3 million, which includes a 20 percent contingency buffer for a revamped streetscape.
The council listened to the presentation, but made no decisions other than to talk about scheduling more workshops about costs associated with the project.
The engineers worked off of a previous design proposal for the same stretch of road, comparing the measurements, budget estimations, and policy interpretations with that of the original study.
“This is complete streets concept where really the focus is not necessarily vehicle traffic, as it is about pedestrian and bicycles,” said Ettinger.
Rockland began looking at the future of Camden Street (Route 1 north) and its streetscape in 2012, with several public forums and visioning sessions. The latest designs from Gorrill-Palmer are a continuation of the city’s effort to make Camden Street more appealing to pedestrians, bicyclists, and the neighborhood at large.
The center turn lane, in a lot of places, may be turned into a raised, landscape island.
“The right-of-way was identified as a 66-foot-wide right-of-way,” said Ettinger. “But for the most part, the footprints, the concepts that were developed, they just barely fit in that right-of-way. It’s important to know, as we move forward with these elements, we really want to make sure we try to fit whatever design we’re coming up with within the existing right-of-way.”
The proposed roundabout at Waldo Avenue was found by Gorrill-Palmer to be a little small in diameter, about 110 feet. Based on current design standards of the single-lane roundabout that will accommodate the larger trucks that are typically seen on Route 1, about 130 feet are necessary. Adding an additional 20 feet to that right of way will be challenging, but not impossible, engineers said.
According to Ettinger, The Maine Department of Transportation is open to design exception requests.
“If the city finds that there are certain elements that are really important to them, that don’t quite meet design standards, we have the ability to request exceptions, as well,” he said.
Gorrill-Palmer took the design aerial photos of previous studies and overlayed their own concepts. There are also sections where there is on-street parking proposed. Gorrill-Palmer will try to match the previous onset in regards to on-street parking.
Maverick Street at Maverick Square, estimated cost: $505,000
Raised islands are proposed down the center of the road with tree plantings. Turn lanes at the intersection will remain signalized. Outside shoulders are wide enough to accommodate bike lanes. Side walks on both sides of the street. Depending on the location, there may be a grass esplanade between the roadway and sidewalks.
Maverick Street to Waldo Avenue, estimated cost: $1,014,000.
Waldo Avenue Roundabout, estimated cost: $1,200,000.
Waldo Avenue to Glen Street, estimated cost: $841,000.
Glen Street to Rockport Town Line, estimated cost: $823,000.
Gorrill said: “It’s important to point out, those are in today’s dollars. When you talk about phasing, you need to adjust for future dollars. This is in today’s dollars.”
Wal-Mart/Home Depot: Narrower islands. More turning lanes. “For the most part, its pretty close to what is out there today,” said Ettinger.
With the exception of some areas, the roads are in good shape, so paving would be an overlay of an inch and a half.
Councilors Valli Geiger and Will Clayton commented on the proposed roundabout:
Councilor Geiger said: “It is my understanding that one of the benefits of a roundabout is that you eliminate the traffic light, and you were actually able to move more cars through.”
Councilor Clayton addressed two major concerns with roundabouts: not just the amount of traffic, but the type of traffic.
“With the type of maritime traffic that we have, we’re talking large boat transports that would not necessarily make those turns, or at least navigate them easily,” he said.
Clayton’s second concern referenced the turn-off from Waldo Avenue with the amount of foot traffic.
Gorrill said: “The purpose of a roundabout is, in large part, to slow the traffic down. The average speed going through a roundabout is supposed to be 18/19 miles an hour. It’s supposed to keep traffic moving at a lower rate of speed.”
Following the 45-minute conversation with the engineers, councilors thanked Gorrill and Ettinger for their presentation, and discussed the need for future workshops about Camden Street plans.
Previous articles related to the Camden Street Project can be found at the following weblinks:
https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/defining-city-one-adjective-time/4359
https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/unlocking-potential-rockland-rockport-route-1-strip/19533
https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/unlocking-potential-rockland-rockport-route-1-strip/24705
