rDRAFT TRANSPORTATION POLICIES 11/21/11

State Goal for Transportation: Plan, finance and develop an efficient transportation system to accommodate growth and economic development.

Local Goal for Transportation: Maintain and develop a safe and efficient transportation system that meets the broad interests and needs of the community and fosters economic prosperity.

Summary: Fort Kent’s transportation issues are challenging given present economic conditions and the need to reverse population decline. Transportation weighs heavily in planning for local fiscal capacity, economic development and future land uses. Our policies and strategies are focused on safety, efficiency of movement, energy efficiency and conservation, cost effectiveness and the local need and interest in different modes of travel. Fort Kent’s experience with these types of issues has lead to progress in several important areas including subdivision regulations, road standards, parking, sidewalks and trails. Transportation sub-committee members helped to identify transportation related problems and issues and develop locally acceptable policies and strategies for meeting the future transportation demands of Fort Kent.

The Town is responsible for maintaining 54 miles of road of which 10.5 miles is closed to winter maintenance. Local roads, collectors and arterials serve the regional populations need to access services and employment and conduct commerce. Several key issues were identified that impact safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness. Development along arterial routes and residential growth in rural zones contribute to the Town’s transportation problems. The slow, steady development along these routes is a threat to safety and efficiency. By-passes are costly in dollars and on the environment and impact existing land uses and owners. Better planning and policy implementation are cost effective ways to keep commercial transportation routes operating safe, smooth and efficient. These highway segments are vital corridors for commerce and tourism.

The acceptance of substandard private roads has created a financial burden to tax payers. Several residential subdivisions have been approved over the past 5 years. Subdivision roads are built at the developer’s expense and must meet local road standards. In one instance voters approved a road acceptance subject to an engineer’s report on compliance with local standards. The report was did not have an engineer’s stamp and proved to be in error. The road had substandard drainage and the cost to correct the problem became a taxpayer expense. The financial burden to bring the road up to standards should have rightfully remained with the developer. In the future, the Town Council may prefer to disallow a warrant article on road acceptance to appear without first verifying by an engineer’s stamped report that the road meets construction standards found in the local road ordinance.

Maine Department of Transportation Crash data classify two areas in Fort Kent as “High Crash Areas”. One area with 13 crashes within a 3 year period is located on Frenchville Road and a second location with 9 crashes within a 3 year period is at the E. Main/Market St/Soucy St. intersection. Collision details may indicate issues such as inadequate signage/signals, black ice and or wildlife crossings. The MDOT may be consulted to determine the best solution to the crash area issues that may include a higher level of winter maintenance and moose crossing signage.

The need for on-going investment in existing town roads and a definition of road quality was apparent from our discussion of transportation issues. The location and types of investment appear below in Table 1 in a proposed order of priority. This is certainly open for more discussion. Issues of roadway quality cover construction, environmental and aesthetic quality. Fort Kent may consider a concept of “level of service” public roads where the Town is not obligated to remove snow, control dust or provide for school bus service and persons are notified of this through the building permit process. Environmental quality relates to numerous fish passage issues due to culvert design and installation issues and erosion of ditches that impact water quality. Aesthetic quality of our roadways relates to both natural (scenic) and artistic (cultural/historic sites, murals, etc.) features along roads. More discussion of this is included in the Natural Resources section of the plan.

Fort Kent has many alternative transportation assets and amenities, including parking, and has made significant progress over the years. Beyond the need to provide safe, convenient access for pedestrians to businesses and schools, there is overlapping benefits to tourism and recreation through alternative modes of transportation. Pedestrian, snowmobile and ATV access to businesses and services have significant economic value. Generally, Fort Kent’s assets and amenities systems are safe, well maintained, cost effective and diverse. The closure of the St. John’s View, MDOT Rest Area for budgetary reasons is a loss that should be corrected when economic conditions improve. Our planning process identified many opportunities for amenity enhancements to our transportation system during periods of improving economic conditions. Several segments of roadways were recently designated as a Maine Scenic Byway as are other arterial segments leading to Fort Kent. Eventually, these stretches of highway may become part of the national scenic byway system which may invite additional investment. The Town is presently struggling to afford the leasing and winter maintenance of off-street parking in the business center, another sign of the present economy that necessitates fiscal discipline.

Because our transportation system is a “shared asset” with neighboring communities, we also looked at regional issues relating to transportation. Three key issues that were identified include rail abandonment, the I-95 extension to the Valley and the Northern Aroostook Regional Airport (NARA). The local decisions and positions regarding these regional transportation assets reflect our understanding of their economic importance and relationship to community sustainability. The abandonment of the Maine Maritime Atlantic Railway was resolved through a bond funded acquisition of the system by the State of Maine and the subsequent contracting for operation and maintenance of the system with J.D. Irving, Ltd. The Northern Maine Railway is vital to the forest products and paper industries in the region for shipment of raw materials and finished products. The Interstate-95 extension will provide a much broader service and benefit to the region in the future. Given the present population and economic decline, upgrading the existing highway systems will serve the region well into the future. The NARA has received substantial investment within the past 3 years through grants from the Federal Aviation Administration. The facility performs an important and, in some cases, vital function for the region. Fort Kent owns a 38% interest in NARA which is one of its most valuable assets valued at $6 million. The facility provides an essential option for regional accessibility that supports health care, higher education, commerce and quality of life.

POLICIES

1. Improve the safety and efficiency of traffic flow through the central business district including East and West Main Streets, Pleasant Street and Market Street and arterial routes into Fort Kent.

Strategies

a. Continue to require proof of MDOT highway entry permit with local building permit application. Check with MDOT on compliance with required standards.

b. Limit to one, the access points for residential subdivision roads fewer than 1500 feet in length and two for over 1500 feet and 15 or more dwelling units.

c. Amend local zoning to limit driveway entries on to arterial routes.

d. Study the feasibility of a truck route (by-pass) to reduce the thru-traffic of trucks in the central business district. Seek transportation planning funds.

e. Install signage to redirect thru-traffic to Market Street during school hours of 7:20 AM to 08:20 AM and 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM per MDOT recommendations.

f. Install signage on Market Street that directs truck traffic for Rt. 1 south via Pleasant St. during snow storms.

g. Install a warning signal at the top of Station Hill (E. Main) that traffic light is about to change.

h. Install an RF transmitter (or signal switch) at the NAPA traffic light on East Main St. that allows trucks to switch light to flashing yellow during winter for approach to Station Hill

i. Install “End School Zone” signage on Pleasant Street to resume speed limit. Propose as a civic project.

j. Install a left turn signal on West Main Street to serve traffic turning to Pleasant St.

2. Maintain and improve the safety, construction, environmental and aesthetic quality of existing roadways.

Strategies

a. Continue to obtain road improvement bonds and URIP funds to keep up with maintenance and upgrades of existing town roads. Target activities are described in Table 1.

b. Enforce, without exception, the construction standards outlined in the local road ordinance for subdivision roads and roads proposed for public acceptance.

c. Amend the Road Ordinance to require a second exit/entry for roads greater than 1500 feet and not solely on 15 or more units.

d. Continue to invest in road surface and drainage improvements on all roads.

e. Inventory the need for drop ramps at culverts that obstruct fish passage and require/inspect proper installation of new and replacement culverts. Include an assessment of downstream fish access obstruction.

f. Develop/distribute educational guidelines for driveway construction and upgrades with building permit applications.

g. Construct scenic turn-out area at undetermined location between the hospital and Station Hill. (Lagasse House) (See Natural Resources section)

h. Encourage the re-opening of the St. John’s View Rest Area through a letter to MDOT and support from local civic organizations.

3. Maintain and broaden local options for transportation alternatives and parking.

Strategies

a. Study the feasibility and cost benefit of having 6-9 alternative powered municipal vehicles based on scheduled replacement.

b. Continue to fund Aroostook Regional Transportation bus for the elderly.

c. Improve signage and mapping of the Heritage Trail to slow down motorized uses and improve pedestrian and bike safety. Advocate for local speed limit authority.

d. Seek grant funds and civic involvement for installation of bike stands at locations in the town center and signage for Biathlon training routes.

e. Continue to support ATV and Snowmobile Club efforts in trail development and safety education through the Recreational Trail Program and SCORP.

f. Implement a carpooling effort by working with property owners for designated parking at Historical Society lot, Knights of Columbus, Riverside Park, Irving Mainway and other locations. Provide education through local businesses.

g. Develop mapping and literature to support rural bike routes and Mt. biking.

h. Encourage the downtown merchants to cooperate for a resolution to parking lot safety and maintenance. Transition out of public leasing of private lots.

i. Encourage a civic campaign to help create a “culture” of bike use to alleviate parking limitations.

j. Study the feasibility and design of a parking lot between Roger’s Sport Center and Century Theater and behind the former Ouellette Building Supply.

4. Maintain and strengthen regionally essential transportation systems including Northern Maine Railway, Northern Aroostook Regional Airport and Interstate-95.

Strategies

a. Devote substantial economic development effort to the forest product and other industries that require rail.

b. Support and encourage the use of rail off-load facilities by local companies.

c. Participate in all regional transportation planning initiatives including MDOT’s Biennial Transportation Improvement Program, National Scenic By-way Initiative and NMDC’s regional transportation efforts.

d. Use NARA as part of on-going economic development/business attraction efforts by making Fort Kent more accessible to prospective companies.

e. Coordinate and fund, with the NARA major stakeholders, an on-going public relations/awareness initiative on the benefits and importance of the facility.

f. Request that our local media periodically feature a NARA story and create a quarterly column.

g. Encourage Chambers of Commerce to promote NARA to local outfitters, lodging and travel/tourism businesses. Include NARA brochure as a standard component in response packets related to tourism and commerce.

h. Work with local travel agents and conduct local market research on the use of NARA as a service link to Bangor and Manchester Airports for destination (vacation) travel.

i. Support NARA use as an international port-of-entry through outreach to Congressional delegation.

j. Present NARA as the designated airport for the World Acadian Congress.

Table 1. Road Improvement Projects Location	Type		Priority Level
W. Main Street		Traffic light (left turn)
W/E Main Streets		Signage (time of day)
W/E Main Streets	Drainage/resurface		2011
E. Main Street (light)		Signal Transmitter
Klein Road Bridge		Guardrail
N. Perly Brook Road Bridge		Guardrail/drainage
N. Perly Brook Road Bridge #2*		Guardrail
Blaine School Road		Street light
Hall Street		Traffic flow
Armory Road		Site distance
Station Hill		Signal change warning
Market Street		Signage (Rte 1 S)
Pleasant Street		“School Zone End” signage
E. Michigan Settlement Road		Plow turn around
Bradbury Road		Reconstruction

Note: * multiple location fish passage; drainage & surface improvements

Priority ratings include: High being within 1-3 years; Necessary being within 3-5 years; Desirable being within the 10 year plan; Deferrable being potentially beyond 10 years.

Questions Revisited

Should the Town automatically allow adoption of private roads to be voted on irrespective of the number of persons being served? Or, should a certain level of development and associated tax revenue occur before a private road is accepted by the Town?

Should the Town have a policy related to spending and cost control on Town roads and should they consider more abandoning and transfer of ownership to abutting owners?