By David M. Fitzpatrick
Of the Weekly Staff
Recent changes to Bangor’s infrastructure have made the city’s growth and appeal possible.
And major changes are on tap for 2014.
“Typically, people don’t think about those things until they stop working,” said Arthur Morgan, Bangor’s city engineer.
The most visible 2013 project was the repainting of the Joshua Chamberlain Bridge, which forced Brewer-bound traffic to use other bridges for five months. With a bit more work left in spring 2014, the project went smoothly.
“I think we did a pretty job of minimizing the impact on traffic,” said Morgan.
A few years ago, the four-lane Hammond Street I-95 overpass was replaced, one half at a time, with two-way traffic maintained during the project. The Maine Department of Transportation will do a similar project in 2014 and 2015 while replacing the Union Street overpass; this project will involve more traffic, side streets and residences.
For one phase, the dead-end Sunset Avenue will be temporarily extended to Texas Avenue. This project is the culmination of five years of preparation between Bangor, the state and private consultants.
“Prior planning is very important to successful execution of any infrastructure project,” Morgan said.
Downtown, West Market Square will receive a facelift in 2014. The concrete sidewalks will be replaced with brickwork, the number of lighting fixtures will nearly double, and the city may add new trash receptacles and bike racks.
Broad Street will be narrowed to accommodate more pedestrian area; this will result in the loss of five parking spaces. The city will upgrade the area’s water and sewer infrastructure, much of which dates to World War I.
Even highly visible projects have components overlooked by the public. During the recent work at the waterfront concert venue, additional aspects included a new recreational boating dock, completing a fully illuminated walkway along the river, and relocating the Continuity of Community sculpture from West Market Square.
Meanwhile, the new Cross Insurance Center project included upgraded sewer lines and storm drainage on Buck and Dutton streets, electrical upgrades, expansive parking and improvements to traffic flow.
Main Street from Dutton Street to Cedar Street will be redesigned in 2014 in a project financed primarily by federal grants. Along with vegetation-covered islands that will not impede left-hand turns, the addition of new crosswalks and extensive lighting will transform the street.
“What we do want to do is create a boulevard effect on Main Street and make it more pedestrian-friendly,” said Morgan.
The resulting loop of the Waterfront trail and Main Street will be very inviting. Meanwhile, the city has begun improvements to Second Street Park; a paved walkway and extensive lighting for safety and security will be added later.
Two years ago, the city council voted to invest $2 million per year for three years to improve existing roadway infrastructure, with 2014 being the third year. The city has reduced its road-replacement cycle from about 20 years to 12 years and has begun repaving sidewalks whenever streets are repaved.
“We’re remaking segments of the city as we go along, which is really a good way to approach things,” said Morgan.
Other recent and future projects include:
• A federal grant will be largely pay for sidewalks to be built on the south side of Hogan Road from Stillwater Avenue to Bangor Mall Boulevard. A federal grant will build a paved pedestrian and bicycle trail connecting Sylvan Road and Stillwater Avenue.
• Kittredge Road was relocated when the new Walmart opened. This road has been relocated again to create additional commercial development opportunities.
• A new crossing has been constructed at Union Street and Griffin Road. A new sidewalk has been built from Griffin Road to Maine Avenue.
• The old Bangor police station on Court Street will be demolished, creating 30 to 60 new parking spaces for the lot behind it. Since the building shores up part of Court Street, a retaining wall will be constructed.
The city has streamlined its process to better synchronize construction activity with local utilities. “I think the effort has always been there,” said Morgan. “I think what we’re really succeeding at is we’re communicating better amongst the public utilities within Bangor.”