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Monthly: June 2014

Archived News
June 30, 20140

MaineDOT Complete Streets Policy Signed on June 14th, 2014

MaineDOT Commissioner Bernhardt signed a new policy on June 14th, 2014 that outlines important elements of Maine’s improved project planning and development processes. Complete Streets policies have a foundation in federal law, guidance, and best practices, and have been signed into law or policy in states and communities throughout the nation.

The MaineDOT Complete Streets Policy, developed in 2013 and 2014 through extensive internal and external stakeholder processes, outlines how MaineDOT and its project partners will consider the needs of all users when planning and developing projects. The intent of this policy is to help ensure that all users of Maine’s transportation system—our customers—including bicyclists, pedestrians, people of all ages and abilities, transit users, and motor vehicle users, have safe and efficient access to the transportation system.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has a long history of providing for the needs of all modes of travel in the planning, programming, design, rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of the state’s transportation system. This policy is intended to improve Maine’s project delivery processes to help improve and maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system that supports the mobility and economic needs of our state.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has a long history of providing for the needs of all modes of travel in the planning, programming, design, rehabilitation, maintenance, and construction of the state’s transportation system.   This policy is intended to improve Maine’s project delivery processes to help improve and maintain a safe, reliable, and efficient transportation system that supports the mobility and economic needs of our state.

The following is a link to the policy:

The following is a link to the MaineDOT Complete Streets web page, which also has links to many related policies, laws, rules, guides, and training programs.

http://www.maine.gov/mdot/completestreets/

Dan Stewart
MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager
Bureau of Planning
Outreach Division
Maine Department of Transportation
16 State House Station
Augusta ME 04333
207-624-3252
E-mail: dan.stewart@maine.gov
Web:http://www.maine.gov/mdot/bikeped/

Archived News
June 22, 20140

Eastern Trail parking spots are approved

By Alex Acquisto, Staff Writer

ARUNDEL — The board of selectmen approved the installation of six to eight parallel parking spaces on the west side of Limerick Road, near the juncture of the Eastern Trail.

The juncture lies southeast of town hall, between the respective intersections of Limerick and Mountain roads, and Limerick and Campground roads.

There is designated parking for the Eastern Trail in the corner of the town hall parking lot; however, the walk to the actual trailhead is somewhat precarious due to the narrow road and minimal shoulder.

New ET Parking in Arundel“Walking from the town hall parking lot to the trail, we got a lot of comments about safety,” said Town Manager Todd Shea. “Since we don’t have a sidewalk, we thought we’d allow parking there.”

Reconsidering the municipal ordinance started last year, when illegal parking at the entrance of the Eastern Trail was anticipated to cause safety issues due to the road’s slightly elevated curve.

In February, Roger Taschereau, director of the public works department, voiced the possibility of installing a handful of gravel parking spaces on the shoulder of Limerick Road near the Eastern Trail — a venture likely to cost about $1,900.

Last summer the town of Arundel received a grant for participating in community-healthy activities after residents participated in a rural active living assessment conducted by the Coastal Healthy Communities Coalition. The grant is to be used for activities that promote healthy living, Shea said in February. The town has been encouraged to spend that money — approximately $1,500 — to build parking spaces, Shea said.

Gravel parking spots, factoring in the use of grant money plus the cost of gravel, would cost approximately $400.

Read the entire article online here

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Uncategorised
June 9, 20140

Loop & Lunch Rides

LoopLunch2017 1.jpgSince the summer of 2013, Russ Lamer has led “loop and lunch rides” on the Eastern Trail.  Each has offered a loop ride on either (or both!) the off-road or on-road sections of the trail, as well as a refreshing restaurant lunch along the route.

Read about previous rides further below on this page.

Schedule for Eastern Trail Loop & Lunch Rides 2019:

June 8th…This ride started at Bug Light in South Portland taking the ET Greenway to Wainwright field then continued on the road on Highland Avenue to Black Point Road to Prout’s Neck, back to 77, right at Sprague Hall down to the Sprague estate entrance and back to 77 and then to Two Lights and back to 77. We stopped at C-Salt for lunch before returning to Bug Light.

August 24th…The August 24th ET Loop & Lunch Ride was a lot of fun, and filled with unusual happenings. The group of 18 riders started out at Thornton Academy on the Eastern Trail, and 16 ended up at Bug Light before going to Scratch Bakery in South Portland for lunch. One rider dropped off from the group at Pin Point Road and the Scarborough Marsh; and our Sweep’s computer mount broke and he had to back track to find it, and therefore ended his ride (by the way, he never found it). After a delicious lunch, we had a great ride back. Only one flat tire on our return trip…but everyone was smiles when we arrived at the Thornton Academy parking lot. Perfect day for riding.

September 28th…This ride will be a Kittery to South Berwick loop on the Eastern Trail. Look for meet up location and more details to come.

October 19th…This is the annual Tweed or Crazy Sweater Ride that starts at Wainwright Field in South Portland, crosses the Scarborough Marsh on the ET then we take the road into Old Orchard Beach to Route 9 Camp Ellis and on to Saco to have lunch at Cia. After lunch we return to Wainwright on the ET.

Check in time begins at 9 a.m. and rides start at 9:30 a.m. Requirements: wear helmet, bring your own water and bottle(s), be able to ride 30 plus miles, ride an average speed of 12 to 15 mph, bring money for lunch, and have fun.

The rides are capped at 25 so please contact Russ Lamer at crankoneta@gmail.com before a ride date to let him know you are riding.

June 7 Loop & Lunch BunchRequirements:

  • Safety is a high priority: riders will sign a waiver at check-in, and provide emergency contact info; a ride sweep will accompany all rides
  • Wear a helmet
  • Be able to average a speed of 13 to 15 mph
  • Make sure you bring sunscreen, money for lunch and a bottle of water or two.

Examples of Some Past Loop & Lunch Rides

June 7, 2014 – 20 riders turned out for the first Loop & Lunch ride of 2014.  The weather was perfect with plenty of sunshine and just the right amount of summer breeze. Riders started on the Eastern Trail at Black Point and Eastern Roads in Scarborough  then rode along the scenic coast through Old Orchard Beach to Camp Ellis then up Route 9 into Saco.

First Loop & Lunch Bunch RidersLunch was at Run of the Mill Restaurant in Saco, and what an outstanding job the restaurant did waiting on the Loop & Lunch Bunch.  Laura our waitress deserves one big medal for doing a superb job on taking orders and delivering everyone’s food all at the same time.  The service and food were an A+!

On the return trip, everyone worked up enough of an appetite for a stop at Bayley’s Ice Cream on Pine Point Road in Scarborough before crossing the marsh back to the parking lot.

August 29, 2015 – The most recent Loop & Lunch Bunch ride was another perfect day, and a fun 38 mile ride for the ET Loop & Lunch Bunch. Fourteen riders started at the Eastern Trail at the Biddeford Medical Center, and took the off-road trail to Kennebunk. From there we took the on-road ET to Wells.

Lunch was at The Seed & Bean Restaurant.
Great rides, great people, great food!  Look for details to come on the next ET Loop & Lunch Bunch Ride.
Photos provided by group ride photographer Bob Bernoth.

loopride 6 7 14 4loopride 6 7 14 5

https://www.easterntrail.org/