Portland Committee Backs Forest Avenue Redesign, Red Light Camera Push

The Sustainability and Transportation Committee endorsed a demonstration-phase redesign of Forest Avenue that would cut it from four lanes to three with buffered bike lanes, and voted to send the idea of red light cameras to the city's legislative committee. Members also heard updates on Vision Zero and speed limit authority, approved parking changes on Lancaster Street and at Ocean Gateway, and received a report on the Jewel Box bus shelter and the Maine Turnpike's Phase 2 project.

Key points

• The committee voted to endorse the Forest Avenue demonstration design, a road diet from four lanes to three with buffered bike lanes, consolidated parking, and new pedestrian crossings; Councilor Bullett and Councilor Ali voted yes, and Chair Phillips also voted yes.
• The committee voted to refer the red light camera proposal to the Legislative and Nominating Committee, with Councilor Bullett and Councilor Ali voting yes and Chair Phillips voting yes; cameras are currently prohibited under Maine law.
• Staff said no action was taken on citywide speed limits because open questions remain about the administrative burden of the city assuming control of local roads; Councilor Bullett asked for answers on whether speed studies could be aggregated.
• Public comment on Forest Avenue was largely supportive, with speakers urging lower speed limits, narrower lanes, protected bike lanes, street trees, and more accessible parking.
• The committee approved changing a commercial loading zone on Lancaster Street near Chestnut Street to a time-limited residential zone, with the spaces also added to the Portland High School student parking area.
• The committee approved new Ocean Gateway parking rates of $4 per hour capped at $40 per day, with some one-hour free spaces, after the lot shrinks to about 115 spaces when First Light Commons Park is built.

Next steps

• Staff will gather more information on the cost and administrative burden of the city assuming speed limit authority over local roads and bring the issue back to the committee.
• The red light camera proposal will be referred to the city's Legislative and Nominating Committee for possible state legislative action.
• The Jewel Box bus shelter removal recommendation goes to the full City Council next month.
• The Lancaster Street parking change and Ocean Gateway parking rates will go to the full City Council for a vote.
• The Maine Turnpike Authority will share its full Phase 2 presentation with the committee.

Read the full transcript