Welcome to the Homepage for the Skowhegan
Transportation Study!
The Maine Department
of Transportation (MaineDOT), the Town of Skowhegan, and the Town of
Madison have been collaborating on a study to address:
1.
Increasing traffic
and public safety issues in downtown Skowhegan
2.
High traffic volumes
and substandard roadway capacity and
geometrics on Routes 2 and 201
3. Unacceptable
congestion that could potentially affect
health, safety, and economic development.
Early in the study, it was evident that a major new river crossing would be required
to alleviate Skowhegan's traffic problems, so the Towns and MaineDOT moved forward
with a public process designed to identify alternatives to address the issues.
As the process evolved, a number of ideas surfaced, ranging from downtown crossings
to complete bypasses that not only reconnected Routes 2 and 201, but all of the
major roadways around Skowhegan.
The purpose and need statement developed for the study includes the following
mandates:
• Improve traffic safety and relieve traffic congestion in downtown Skowhegan
and on Routes 2, 201, 104, and 150;
• Improve regional east-west and north-south traffic flow through the Skowhegan
area for regional commuters, through travelers and local residents;
• Improve cross-river access and response capabilities in times of emergencies;
and
• Provide the transportation capacity necessary to accommodate current
demands and support regionwide economic and community development consistent
with Skowhegan’s Comprehensive Plan.
This website is designed to provide:
• Information about
the history of the study, the project schedule, who is involved, previous
studies,
alternatives currently being studied,
stakeholders, and contacts;
• Ways for the public to participate in the study; and
• Electronic versions of study documents and materials.
Use
the
links
at
left
to navigate the site, and please refer to the contact information below
if you would like
to be added to the project e-mailing list.
Where are we in the study?
The Skowhegan Transportation Study is now in the preliminary engineering
and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phase. The purpose of an EIS
is to provide a full and fair discussion of significant environmental
impacts and to inform decisionmakers and the public of reasonable
alternatives
that would avoid or minimize adverse impacts. The EIS process is required
by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for projects receiving
federal funding (click here to
read the Council on Environmental Quality's Citizens Guide to NEPA).
The EIS is being prepared in accordance with MaineDOT and Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA) guidelines.
A
public scoping meeting was held
on March 13, 2008, to kick off the EIS process and
present
information
on potential alternatives, the scope, and the schedule.
Next, alternatives will be further refined and screened
for
analysis and potential impacts.
Click here to view a timeline of the Skowhegan Transportation Study.
MaineDOT and FHWA are requesting volunteers to serve on a Public Advisory
Committee (PAC). Potential PAC members would represent different groups
within the affected communities and would meet periodically throughout
the study process. Interested parties should contact Judy Lindsey as
noted below.
For more information, contact:
Judy Lindsey
MaineDOT,
Bureau of Transportation Systems Planning
Highway and Bridge Planning
16 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0016
tel: 207-624-3291
fax: 207-624-3301
e-mail: judy.lindsey@maine.gov
This page last updated on
January 28, 2009
