Plans and Programs

Studies Completed or Nearing Completion

PACTS Transit Focused Region Initiative - 4 part Series, 2011

PACTS Collector Road Study (January 2009) 10mb file

PACTS Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan Update (July 17, 2009) Preliminary DRAFT Plan Maps

Tri-Community Transportation Plan - Biddeford Saco and Old Orchard Beach (2009)
A multi-municipality study to recommend improvements to the transportation system shared by all three communities.

Portland Franklin Street Arterial Feasibility Study

A visioning study for the City of Portland to evaluate and consider concepts and strategies for improving the Frankling Street Arterial.

Portland Forest Avenue Land Use and Transportation Plan

An "Action Plan" to transform Forest Avenue into a "Great Street".

Windham Comprehensive Transportation Study

A comprehensie study to redevelop the existing infrastructure and guide future transportation investments.

Congress Street Bus Priority Study - Portland

This study will look at ways to reduce congestion on the "transit spine" of Congress Street.

Yarmouth Route One Corridor Study Phase III

The final phase for developing an "optimal" concept plan of the Route 1 corridor through Yarmouth.

Upcoming Studies 2012-2013:

Gorham East-West Corridor Phase 2: Land Use Urban-Rural Pattern assistance
The Phase 1 Study determined that transportation improvements – additional transit service and roadway improvements – are not sufficient alone to manage traffic growth and congestion. A land use pattern that supports a more efficient connection between jobs, services, and residences is also essential. This study will involve Gorham, Portland, Scarborough, South Portland and Westbrook in developing a regional land use relationship that can support walkable, bikeable communities and transit.

Biddeford and Saco Wayfinding Plan
As an initial outcome of the Tri-Community Transportation Plan, the cities are working together to develop a wayfinding plan with critical gateway signage for motorist, pedestrian, and bicyclists throughout the downtowns. This plan will result in updated and unified signage for destinations, points of interest, tourism, and access to parking, the train station, and other transportation amenities.

Portland - Brighton/Deering/Falmouth Street Intersection Redesign Study

This intersection at one of the gateways to the City is the main approach from the west to the USM Portland campus, including the Maine School of Law. The intersection is currently a unique full-access six-legged intersection with poor level of service for all modes during the morning and evening commutes. It is also an unsafe intersection for all modes, and is a high crash location for vehicles. Additionally, there are many pedestrians crossing between the Law School and the rest of the campus. This study will evaluate intersection configurations to better meet motorized traffic, bicyclist, pedestrian, and transit access and safety needs.

Portland – Libbytown Traffic Circulation and Streetscape Study

The area of Portland around the I-295 Exit 5 interchange is actually the Portland neighborhood of Libbytown. In many ways, Libbytown sacrificed its aesthetic and functional integrity when the interstate came through in the late 1960s. The primary focus will be on the modernizing of streets with safety and function of the transportation infrastructure specifically in the circulation patterns to meet the regional traffic needs while improving the transportation for all modes in the neighborhood. Additionally, its identity of a place and presence of the Portland Transportation Center shall be considered.

Bicyclist and Pedestrian Plan Implementation
In 2009 PACTS updated its Regional Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan. We are working closely with our communities, bicycle and pedestrian advocates, consultants and the MaineDOT to implement many of the priorities included in the regional plan. This work includes infrastructure and standards consistency, way finding, making critical connections and making safety improvements. There is also an important encouragement and education component to the regional plan.

With the help of various agencies including the MaineDOT, we are educating citizens on how to use the built environment. PACTS will continue to work with our communities and Cumberland County to improve conditions and offer more alternatives for recreation and transportation for our citizens and for those visiting the state.

For more information, contact Carl Eppich at ceppich@gpcog.org or call 774-9891.