Traffic Calming in Small Town Maine

Bowdoinham

In many rural towns, including Bowdoinham, state highways run through downtown areas, leading to higher vehicle speeds and unsafe crossing conditions. When residents of Bowdoinham voiced a desire for slower traffic and a crosswalk to safely cross a busy two-lane state road that divides the downtown area, the municipality collaborated with local and regional partners to explore options for promoting walkability in downtown.

In partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the Maine Department of Transportation, the Bowdoinham Community Development Advisory Committee, and age-friendly volunteers, the community designed a two-month demonstration project that featured planters and the iconic town mascot, KenDucky Derby.

The project made exciting improvements for pedestrian safety. The town temporarily installed a bright crosswalk and a sidewalk leading to the local restaurant, encouraging more foot traffic. Eye-catching traffic delineators were added to guide drivers and clearly mark the crosswalk, enhancing safety and encouraging foot traffic to the town’s restaurant, food pantry, arts center, and waterfront park.

Public reaction to the project was mixed. Some residents were concerned that the addition of flower pots between the road and the restaurant signaled a shift toward tourist-town aesthetics. Others worried that delineators separating traffic lanes could pose risks for large vehicles. However, the new sidewalk received near-universal approval for enhancing pedestrian safety. To refine the project, the town organized community conversations and sought planning grants for permanent downtown improvements slated to begin in summer 2025.