LEWISTON — The city’s Public Works director believes changing a stretch of Sabattus Street from four lanes to two with a center turning lane would increase safety and decrease traffic.
But residents attending a City Council meeting Tuesday night were not convinced.
Public Works Director Dave Jones and City Planner Dave Hediger proposed a new traffic pattern from the Old Greene Road/Randall Road intersection to Grove Street.
The Maine Department of Transportation agrees that this is the best option to optimize traffic flow and increase safety.
Nearly 20 people who live or work in those properties voiced their opinions Tuesday, and many were unconvinced that the lane reassignment would be a good idea.
Concerns ranged from school buses and pedestrians having enough space to travel, unpatrolled speeding and backed-up traffic.
Councilor Shane Bouchard of Ward 4, the ward where the lane reassignment would occur, did not support the plan, but said he would back whatever his constituents believe is best.
“There are parts of this road that are deadly,” he said of high speeds on the road. “We need to step up speed enforcement.”
He said he does not believe the lane change would solve that problem.
Most people at the workshop agreed that the biggest issue is speed, and there were concerns voiced that fewer lanes would not actually solve that problem.
Jones said he understood the public’s disagreement.
“It’s a change; it’s something they’re not used to,” he said. “It’s about understanding the positives of the lane change.”
Jones and Hediger believe there would be little to no impact on the current 67 properties in the stretch, and any impact would be positive.
One thing that everyone present agreed on was that having a designated turn lane was a good idea.
Postal worker John Gagnon was in favor of the change.
“I’m a letter carrier,” he said, explaining that he walks that road every day. “It’s getting scary out there.”
The lane change would also add a shoulder to the road, making it safer for bikers and pedestrians.
Resident Kathy Becvar was more on the fence about the idea.
“The traffic is terrible — that’s our biggest problem,” she said. “I’m not for or against this. I need to think about it first.”
She said she was worried about the traffic converging when the lanes merge, however.
School Committee member Benjamin Martin said he’s gone back and forth on the issue.
On the plus side, he said, “I won’t have to be scared to turn left on Bailey Avenue.” But now that he’s seen what the traffic looks like with two lanes instead of four, because of recent road work, he’s firmly against it.
Martin also said he was confused about why this would be needed for the bank.
Jason Cody, co-owner of Dubois Cafe & Variety on Sabattus Street, was also strongly against the lane change. Based on the proposed models, the road merges from four to two lanes right in front of his business.
“This would create more chance(s) for accidents,” he said.
He said cars merging and turning at the same time in front of a business would not increase safety.
During a July City Council meeting, an agreement was made with Community Credit Union that it would pay for the city to put in a water line, but the bank has since abandoned its plan to move to the vacant lot at 895 Sabattus St.
According to City Administrator Ed Barrett, the bank has “committed to providing the local share of any funds needed to implement the realignment should the City Council decide to proceed.”
DOT has already scheduled paving and lining Sabattus Street next spring and summer, so if the change was to go into effect, there would be no additional cost, the agency said.
Editor’s note: Story has been updated to reflect a decision by Community Credit Union not to build at 895 Sabattus St. The city was notified of that decision on Sept. 27.
The Lewiston City Council will vote on a Sabattus Street lane reassignment at its Oct. 18 meeting. If you have questions or concerns, email Dave Jones at djones@lewistonmaine.gov.
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