Proposed South Street connector draws concerns from Biddeford residents

BIDDEFORD — A proposed connector that would link the Maine Turnpike Exit 32 connector to South Street in Biddeford has raised concerns with some residents.

The City of Biddeford, the Maine Turnpike Authority and the Department of Transportation funded a study that kicked off in August 2021 to examine transportation improvements to increase safety and reduce congestion in the Exit 32 area.

About 60 people either in person at Biddeford City Hall or on ZOOM attended a public meeting on Monday night on the study.

Tom Errico of TY Lin International consulting firm reviewed a proposal that would extend the Exit 32 Maine Turnpike Ramp and add a connector road in 2028 that would travel behind Home Depot with the option of continuing to Andrews Road or to turn off and, utilizing the newly constructed Waterworks Drive near the Maine Water plant, head to South Street.

Traffic is projected to grow 15 percent in the morning peak hour and 18 percent in the afternoon peak hour at Rt. 111 near Home Depot between 2021 and 2045. During this same time period, traffic is projected to grow 15 percent in the morning peak hour and 17 percent in the afternoon peak hour at Rt. 111 near Five Points; 25 percent in the morning peak hour and 50 percent in the peak hour at South Street west of the turnpike; 30 percent in the morning and afternoon peak hours at South Street near Elm Street; and 29 percent in the morning and 25 percent in the afternoon at Elm Street near Main Street.

According to the study, the proposed road could reduce delay times projected in 2045 during afternoon peak hours along five intersections on Route 111 by nine to 63 seconds. The proposal is expected to increase delay times by two seconds at the Elm Street and South Street intersection and four seconds at the Elm Street and Main Street intersection.

The proposed plan would shift about 400 vehicles from Route 111 westbound to the extended ramp in the afternoon during peak traffic hours, according to Errico. It is expected to cost $11 million, but it is unknown at this time if the city would be responsible for any of the cost, he said.

Potential environmental impacts to two vernal ponds, a 23-acre deer wintering area, another 13-acre piece of land and threatened and endangered species need further study, said Errico.

Bronwen Feeney, who lives in a neighborhood in the South Street area, said she had moved from Boston to get out of the city and away from the heavy traffic. She said she thought the proposed project would bring an increase to traffic on South Street.

 “I don’t want that to happen here. That’s why I moved to Maine. It sounds to me like much too much traffic for a narrow road,” she said.

Holly Culloton, who also lives in a South Street area neighborhood, expressed concerns about impacts to environment and wildlife.

“Once you chew up that big swath of land between Route 111 and South Street, there’s no going back,” she said.

Public comments on the proposal can be made online or dropped off at City Hall through Dec. 9.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.