Town Councilors Monday agreed to send three projects to the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation Committee for possible funding, but some projects were more warmly received by the council than others.

Councilors unanimously approved an application to fund a full-depth reconstruction of Spurwink Avenue, from the Spurwink Church to the entrance of the Purpoodock Club, but were less united on applications to fund two proposed new traffic lights in Town.

An application for funding a traffic signal on Ocean House Road in front of Cape Elizabeth High School passed 5-2, and a separate application for a signal at Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House roads passed 4-3.

"I am not a big proponent of traffic lights," said Councilor Anne Swift-Kayatta. But, she did say she was convinced by the testimony of traffic engineers and by School Board members that a signal would make the High School intersection safe at times of high traffic.

The Town, as applicant for a $7.9 million renovation project at the High School, will include the traffic signal as part of its site plan to be reviewed by the Planning Board on April 29. At their meeting last month, the Planning Board tabled consideration of the site plan until the Town and the School Department addressed the unsatisfactory level of service that exists at the intersection during morning dropoff, and early evening when activities are ending and beginning both at the school and at the adjacent Community Center.

Councilors John McGinty and Carol Fritz voted against asking PACTS to fund a signal at the High School. Fritz said she believed a signal would delay traffic even more, and that the accident rate and short periods during the day when traffic is a problem are not enough cause for a signal. She favored other methods, such as having more students ride buses, and creating a left-hand turn lane on Ocean House Road leading to the High School, as preferable measures.

McGinty added he did not think the schools have done enough to mitigate the traffic problem. The site plan in fact encourages traffic by adding more parking, he said.

Councilor Jack Roberts voted for the High School signal funding application, but said he did not necessarily support a light there. He said he was concerned about emergency vehicles not being able to go through a red light, just one of many "unintended consequences" that might result from installing a signal. He added, however, that he did not want to hold the High School renovation project up for lack of a resolution to the traffic issue. "Yes, I'll support the request, but I hope the Planning Board doesn't see that as a mandate for a light," Roberts said.

If PACTS agrees to fund the $168,000 signal and related improvements, Cape Elizabeth would be responsible for 15 percent of the cost, which would come from the Town Roadway Drainage Improvement Account.

If the project is not approved in the next PACTS Biennial Transportation Improvement Program, the cost would be added to the 2005 school bond, to be re-paid through the municipal budget over the succeeding five years.

If the school project comes in under budget, the council would favor the light being paid for with unspent allocations within the school bond. The council's resolution adds that if the citizens of the State of Maine should approve any limitation on communities to levy taxes or authorize bonds, the vote will be revoked and the Town Council will consider options available to Cape Elizabeth.

Applications for all three projects will be submitted for the 2006/2007 Biennial Transportation Improvement Program.

Cost of the signal proposed for Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House roads, in 2006 dollars, is estimated at $290,000. Again the Town would be responsible for 15 percent of the cost if it is funded by PACTS.

Traffic studies indicate a level of service at this intersection even worse than that at the High School, said Town Manager Michael McGovern at the April 12 meeting. The study, and recommendation for signalization and related improvements, is the result of a Town Council goal to look at traffic safety in the Town Center, he said.

The recommendation includes site improvements that would tighten the intersection, shorten walking distances and make it safer for pedestrians.

Still, the application for PACTS funding for this light faced a tougher fight for council approval than did the one at the High School entrance. Councilor Swift-Kayatta, who voted for the High School light, opposed the application to PACTS to fund a light at the Town Center. She cited an engineer's testimony that a light at the High School might create gaps of traffic flow, thereby alleviating congestion at the Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House intersection. "I want to wait and see the impact of the light at the High School," Swift-Kayatta said.

Fritz and McGinty, who opposed the light at the High School, voted against the Town Center light application as well. Given the level-of-service criteria the council seems to be following for traffic lights, McGinty said there is potential for new lights at Fowler and Ocean House roads, Jordan Way and Ocean House Road, and Scott Dyer Road and the Pond Cove/Middle School entrance. "There is potential for five signals within a mile," McGinty said. "I don't think people are going to like it when they see it."

Fritz said she would favor reconfiguration of the Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House intersection before adding a full traffic signal there.

Councilor David Backer said he favored applying for funding, but that he was not prepared to support installation of a light at the Town Center location. Councilor Jack Roberts, who's view on the High School light was similar to Backer's view on the Town Center light, said he supported a signal at Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House roads. He said he is still concerned about public safety, but having waited himself in traffic turning left onto Ocean House Road, he said he believed this intersection was more of an issue, particularly during tourist season.

Mary Ann Lynch, chairman of the council, was perhaps the most supportive of the signal application, saying the site improvements would give the intersection at Shore, Scott Dyer and Ocean House roads more of a small-town feel, and perhaps even encourage students to walk or cycle to the nearby school complex.

Funding for a signal at this location had been approved by PACTS in the early 90s, but was turned down by the Town Council.

Cost of the Spurwink Avenue reconstruction project is estimated at more than $2 million. Full-depth reconstruction involves the excavation of existing base gravel and pavement, essentially building the road from square one. Officials are recommending the project , if funded, be completed in phases.

The vote Monday authorizes Town staff to submit the three applications for PACTS funding. If funding is approved by the PACTS policy committee, the council will need to vote again in October on whether to accept the funds.

Related story:

• High School renovation site plan will include Ocean House Road traffic signal (03/19/04)