Link to draft document: Design and maintenance deficiencies associated with the Veterans Memorial Bridge and adjacent infrastructure

[Zack Barowitz]

To: Myles Smith, Chair Portland Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee

From: Zack Barowitz

Re: Design and maintenance deficiencies associated with the Veterans Memorial Bridge and adjacent infrastructure

Summary

When the Veterans Memorial Bridge was rebuilt in 2012 it was touted as having enhanced bicycle and pedestrian facilities. However, these facilities have not proven to above standard and are in some instances poorly designed. Moreover, much of the bike/ped infrastructure is poorly maintained (in terms of both hard surface and vegetation); and the intersection on the Portland end is confusing for all users. Additionally, the scope did not include access to Cassidy Point which has become a small nexus of cultural activity beyond industrial uses.

Finally,  it is not clear that the bridge needed to be built at all because of the connection to 295 via the Fore River Parkway and the fact that both 295 and the Veterans Bridge end up in almost the same place in South Portland.

Below is a link to an illustrated overview of some of the hazards.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ziP8DCKEhWCCR7Zmje6-tqnlunut1tjZazo5Gr8I6Lc/edit?usp=sharing

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[Damon Yakovleff]

Thanks Zack, this is a great write up. The pictures are especially helpful. I made a few suggestions. 

I considered adding some wording about the poor quality connection to and along Lincoln St. to the Greenbelt, but perhaps that is getting out of scope. Perhaps we could add some kind of reference to this without getting into all the details. 

I'd suggest when we send this out, it goes to our usual Portland contacts as well as MDOT staff as well as the legislative delegation representing the districts on both ends of the bridge. 

I do have one question - Can you explain what you mean by an "unused pedestrian bridge" connecting Portland and South Portland?

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