So, unfortunately, the town of #BuxtonMaine said "No," to the #PedestrianWalkway and the additional cost, and so did #HollisMaine (at #MDOT's urging). Having a separate pedestrian walkway on this bridge would make it safer for EVERYONE -- and a lot of pedestrians and bicyclists use the bridge, as it is the way to get from one track of preserved land to another, and also the areas where local teens swim! The traffic on #Route202 on either side of the bridge is always going too fast, and there's a lot of large trucks and SUVs. Widening the bridge is not enough! (And yes, speed limits should be strictly enforced in this area, which includes an ice cream stand and a local library)!
I should probably contact #MainersForSmarterTransportation and #BicycleCoalitionOfMaine and let them know what's going on...
Article from 2020, which shows the existing bridge and how much it's used by young people, as it is a popular spot in the summer!
Salmon Falls Bridge to be redesigned to deter jumping
The bridge between Buxton and Hollis has long been popular with youth who leap from it into the Saco River, but a planned upgrade should put a stop to that risky pastime and make it safer for all, the state says.
by Robert Lowell
June 1, 2020
Original story:
https://www.pressherald.com/2020/06/01/salmon-falls-bridge-to-be-redesigned-to-deter-jumping/
Archived version:
Hollis-Buxton, Route 202, Salmon Falls Bridge
On-Demand Formal Public Meeting for replacing the Salmon Falls Bridge on Route 2020 over the Saco River at the Hollis-Buxton town line
"The Scope of Work for this project consists of a full replacement of the Salmon Falls Bridge. The preliminary scope of work that was presented at the preliminary public meeting in 2019 consisted of a deck and superstructure replacement while leaving the substructure (piers and abutments) in place since that component is in fair condition as opposed to the deck and superstructure, which are both in poor condition. After further design review, it was determined that a full replacement is a better and more cost-effective option in the long term, with reduced maintenance costs and an overall longer lifespan. The new bridge will have 5' shoulders, which accomplishes the request as noted at the preliminary meeting of providing for better bicyclist and pedestrian accommodations."
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/483457df232143ba94cdbf9fe8173724
Hollis-Buxton, Route 202, Salmon Falls Bridge
On-Demand Formal Public Meeting for replacing the Salmon Falls Bridge on Route 2020 over the Saco River at the Hollis-Buxton town line
"The Scope of Work for this project consists of a full replacement of the Salmon Falls Bridge. The preliminary scope of work that was presented at the preliminary public meeting in 2019 consisted of a deck and superstructure replacement while leaving the substructure (piers and abutments) in place since that component is in fair condition as opposed to the deck and superstructure, which are both in poor condition. After further design review, it was determined that a full replacement is a better and more cost-effective option in the long term, with reduced maintenance costs and an overall longer lifespan. The new bridge will have 5' shoulders, which accomplishes the request as noted at the preliminary meeting of providing for better bicyclist and pedestrian accommodations."
https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/483457df232143ba94cdbf9fe8173724
Pedestrian Safety Guide and Countermeasure Selection System
Guidelines/Priorities for Sidewalks and Walkways
Introduction
"A 1.5-m- (5-ft-) wide shoulder is acceptable for pedestrians along low-volume roads"
Route 202 is NOT a low-volume road, by any means!
http://www.pedbikesafe.org/PEDSAFE/resources_guidelines_sidwalkswalkways.cfm
#IndianCellarPreserve #LandTrust #HikingTrails #SacoRiver #SalmonFalls #MaineDOT #Maine #SouthernMaine #SalmonFallsBridge
