The a meeting to hear the result of a study that examined the possibilities of a connector road between Maine Water Company on South Street in Biddeford and Exit 32 is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 28 in Biddeford city Hall or online, via Zoom. Courtesy image

BIDDEFORD — The result of a study designed to examine the costs and benefits associated with adding a new road linking the southbound Exit 32 turnpike ramp and Route 111 to South Street in Biddeford via the new Maine Water Company road west of downtown, will be presented later this month.

At 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, in Biddeford City Hall Council Chambers and via Zoom, the public will hear final draft recommendations regarding the proposed new road and have the chance to speak about what they see as pros and cons, said Biddeford spokeswoman Danica Lamontagne.

The study, which began in the fall of 2021, was initiated by the city of Biddeford, and funded by the city, the Maine Turnpike Authority, and the Maine Department of Transportation.

The Turnpike Authority plans to upgrade Exit 32 in 2028, which will allow southbound travelers heading towards Sanford to exit farther west on Route 111 and is designed to reduce traffic at the Route 111 intersections at Exit 32, and the shopping centers in the area. Doing so also  provides the opportunity to link a new southbound ramp and Route 111 to the new Maine Water Company road ending on South Street, Lamontagne said.

Biddeford Economic Development Director Greg Mitchell said in a news release that the city is assessing the transportation benefits of the Maine Turnpike Exit 32 Ramp Extension and the South Street connector with other planned downtown transportation projects. A key component, he said, is to reduce the amount of non-local vehicular traffic using local streets to access the Maine Turnpike and other key corridors.

“Two major efforts are underway right now,” Mitchell said. “One is transportation-based, with a focus on improving people’s ability to safely and enjoyably bike and walk in town. We are also looking to enhance existing transit service, which includes existing free shuttle bus service looping through the downtown and Route 1 and Main Street in Saco. There will be a strong emphasis on greenspace and downtown livability.”

He said the second effort is the “future land use” section of the new Comprehensive Plan, which is in progress.

Mitchell said those interested in the South Street study should view a pair of presentations on these two planning efforts, which were presented at a recent City Council and Planning Board work session. Both are available on the Biddeford Route 111 Transportation Alternatives/South Street Connections Study web page on the city web site: www.biddefordmaine.org/rte111alternativesstudy

Since the last public meeting in June, Lamontagne said, additional analysis has been performed on current and future traffic flow, current and projected congestion, environmental resources affected by a new road, and other ways to manage congestion. In considering alternatives, she said the study considered funding that might be available for any future project.

Those interested in the details and data in the study may view the draft report that will become available Friday, Nov. 18, at www.biddefordmaine.org/rte111alternativesstudy. Those who want to receive a direct link to the report when it becomes available can provide their email address anytime via the comment link on that site. Comments on the report will be accepted through Dec. 9.

To view the 6 p.m. Nov. 28 meeting by Zoom, the link to the meeting is https://biddeford.zoom.us/j/94908729674?pwd=b0VoMVh4amltWWFSR0lzc2tqVlQydz09 (Webinar ID #949 0872 9674, Passcode #437527). Lamontagne said people will be able to ask questions and comment, either in person in the city council chambers or via the Zoom link.