Bow & Main Traffic Calming Study

Bow & Main Traffic Calming Study Phase One (Ended Oct. '25)

The Town would like to extend its gratitude to the Freeport community for patience and for feedback, which helped address early issues with the configuration.

This phase of the study focused on the specific question “Does a three-way stop at Bow & Main work for vehicular traffic?” and data collected throughout the study overwhelmingly showed that the configuration does work and is worthy of further analysis.

In the spring, a proposal to install a more robust and comprehensive demonstration project at the intersection will be brought to Town Council. This next phase will take lessons learned about traffic flow and incorporate a focus on pedestrian safety and the bus stop experience.

To learn more about the study and what's next, watch our video with Town Council Chair Joanna Benoit below.

The overall vision of this project, rooted in the public feedback that helped build the Downtown Vision Plan, is a transformation of the intersection into a space that will be safer for pedestrians, introduce more predictability for drivers, while granting an enhanced experience for visitors and businesses.
This project, which can be traced back to the goals of the Downtown Vision Plan and the community’s vision for the downtown area, will be assessed and information here will be updated.

JULY 2025

What is happening at the intersection of Main & Bow Streets?

The study will help us collect data for guidance toward a lasting change to the intersection, with intended benefits to all, including:

ENHANCED EXPERIENCE FOR VISITORS & BUSINESSES

SAFETY FOR DRIVERS & PEDESTRIANS

INCREASED PUBLIC SPACE

Why Now?

The Town and partners are conducting this trial based on community feedback to advance and test the goals of our Downtown Vision Plan, with input from engineers at Stantec & Speck-Dempsey, and partners at MaineDOT, who have concluded that this test design is feasible.

The Town will monitor the intersection of this temporary trial and determine whether this change is the right fit for the intersection.

Questions? Comments? Development Director Brett Richardson has been the point person for this project, gathering input from partner engineers and Public Works, and presenting the expertise to Town Council. Brett can be reached at: 207-865-4743 x117 or brichardson@freeportmaine.com

What is this project?

On July 15, the Freeport Town Council endorsed a temporary traffic trial project to convert the intersection of Bow and Main Streets into an all-way stop. Staff findings and recommendations to implement the Bow St and Main St trial consider timing, necessary funding and staff resources, impacts on seasonal Town operations in the vicinity, data gathering techniques and process, and assessment of trial outcomes related to identified measures of success.

Where did the idea come from?

A reimagined Main Street with slower traffic and more space for walking, gathering, public art, and experiential offerings is a Freeport community priority celebrated in the Downtown Vision Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Active Living Plan, and Climate Action Plan. This vision is a guiding principle of the Village Corridor Initiative (VCI) that the Town is carrying out with Stantec, Speck Dempsey, and MaineDOT.

How is it being funded?

The Main and Bow trial is being developed through the VCI with a 50 percent cost-share from MaineDOT. MaineDOT has provided technical assistance to develop the trial and will provide equipment, such as flexible posts and signage at a minimal cost. The trial offers the Town an efficient and cost-effective approach to test the concept before investing in permanent changes.

How will we know if it works?

The primary measure of success of trialing an all way stop at the intersection of Main and Bow is whether or not the new configuration significantly degrades traffic movement on the Main Street / Route 1 corridor. Stantec and MaineDOT expect positive outcomes for all users without causing significant delays for drivers. The VCI team anticipates significant pedestrian safety and Downtown beautification benefits once the future vision is fully implemented, but the all-way stop trial is an important test.

In early September a traffic study, including all-way STOP SIGNS will be put in place at Main & Bow. The study will help us collect data for guidance toward a permanent change to the intersection, with intended benefits to all, including: an enhanced Experience for visitors & businesses Safety For Drivers & Pedestrians Increased public space Why Now? The Town and partners are conducting this trial based on community feedback to advance and test the goals of our Downtown Vision Plan, with input from engineers at Stantec & Speck-Dempsey, and partners at MaineDOT, who have concluded that this test design is feasible. The Town will monitor the intersection of this temporary trial and determine whether this change is the right fit for the intersection. Questions? Comments? Development Director Brett Richardson has been the point person for this project, gathering input from partner engineers and Public Works, and presenting the expertise to Town Council. Brett can be reached at: 207-865-4743 x117 or brichardson@freeportmaine.com What is this project? On July 15, the Freeport Town Council endorsed a temporary traffic trial project to convert the intersection of Bow and Main Streets into an all-way stop. This memo summarizes staff findings and recommendations to implement the Bow and Main trial with consideration given to timing, necessary funding and staff resources, impacts on seasonal Town operations in the vicinity, data gathering techniques and process, and assessment of trial outcomes related to identified measures of success. Where did the idea come from? A reimagined Main Street with slower traffic and more space for walking, gathering, public art, and experiential offerings is a Freeport community priority celebrated in the Downtown Vision Plan, Comprehensive Plan, Active Living Plan, and Climate Action Plan. This vision is a guiding principle of the Village Corridor Initiative (VCI) that the Town is carrying out with Stantec, Speck Dempsey, and MaineDOT. How is it being funded? The Main and Bow trial is being developed through the VCI with a 50 percent cost-share from MaineDOT. MaineDOT has provided technical assistance to develop the trial and will provide equipment, such as flexible posts and signage at a minimal cost. The trial offers the Town an efficient and cost-effective approach to test the concept before investing in permanent changes. How will we know if it works? The primary measure of success of trialing an all way stop at the intersection of Main and Bow is whether or not the new configuration significantly degrades traffic movement on the Main Street / Route 1 corridor. Stantec and MaineDOT expect positive outcomes for all users without causing significant delays for drivers. The VCI team anticipates significant pedestrian safety and Downtown beautification benefits once the future vision is fully implemented, but the all-way stop trial is an important test.

Bow & Main Traffic Calming Study