North Windham Moves

Background Information

The Town of Windham in collaboration with the Maine Department of Transportation (Maine DOT) pursuant to a Planning Partnership Initiative (PPI) agreement has contracted with Gorrill-Palmer Consulting Engineers to perform a North Windham Transportation Study. The study will complement previous planning efforts, including the North Windham 21^st Century Downtown Plan, and evaluate potential improvement strategies to improve congestion and safety along the Route 302 corridor. The Study will review previous concepts and make recommendations on access management, frontage roads, changes to lane configuration, additions to the roadway grid, traffic demand management, traffic signal modifications, bicycle and pedestrian access, and the impacts of the proposed improvements to level of service and safety.  

Purpose and Needs Statement

The purpose of this study is to evaluate, analyze and improve local mobility and accessibility for the North Windham downtown district while also providing for safety and mobility improvements for regional users along the Route 302 corridor. The study will consider new local connector roads, access management, and corridor and intersection improvements for all transportation modes.   The primary need is to improve both the local and regional mobility in the North Windham downtown district. The study area currently lacks local accessibility to properties just off Route 302 and Routes 115/35 and suffers from operational challenges including heavy traffic queuing and low levels of service during peak travel times. Incomplete facilities make safe travel on foot or bicycle unattractive and unsafe options. A secondary purpose is to bring all elements of the transportation system into alignment with local land use, economic development, and quality of place goals. Transportation improvements that make it easier and safer to move within and through North Windham will help meet these goals. Recommendations and outcomes of this study will be subject to available local, state and/or federal funding. 

How to get involved?

The project team will be reaching out to the community for input at various key points in the planning process. This will include community meetings in spring and summer 2021. Stay tuned by registering for updates HERE.

Project Schedule

Study Area

Prior Planning Efforts

• 2020 MaineDOT Approved MPI Project: Route 302 Adaptive Traffic Signals 
• 2016 21^st Century Downtown Master Plan PDR 
• 2013 North Windham 21^st Century Downtown Master Plan 
• 2013 Multi-Modal Corridor Management Plan for Route 302 and the Lakes Region 
• 2011 North Route 302 Corridor Plan 
• 2011 Lakes Region Transit Service Study 
• 2007 Service Road Study 
• 2001 Windham to Portland Commuter Bus Study
• 1992 Connector Road Feasibility Assessment Windham Mall/Windham Shopping Plaza
• 1989 Route 302 Corridor Study Phase 2
• 1988 North Windham Route 302 Corridor Study