Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Overview

In January of 2022, the Town, in conjunction with KACTS, finalized development of Kittery's first Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.  The Comp Plan - 5 Year Action Plan identifies developing a sidewalk and pedestrian plan, as a priority.  In the JLUS, bicycle and pedestrian facilities (bike lanes and sidewalks) were identified as key multi-modal infrastructure needed to help reduce congestion associated with the PNSY.

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan will create a prioritized multi-year plan for enhancing, repairing, or adding new sidewalks and bike lanes in Kittery.  The prioritized list reflects community interests and needs, ADA and Federal Highway compliance upgrades and land use/development trends in town.  The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, like our Pavement Management Plan, will be incorporated in our CIP process and used to inform capital funding allocations and grant applications going forward.

To view/download the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan, please click here. 

Latest Updates

New bicycle and pedestrian demonstration projects are coming in 2024.  Stay tuned for updates!


Past Updates

Summer 2023 Bike/Ped Temporary Demonstration Projects Being Fully Implemented in 2024

In 2023, the Town of Kittery announced a series of temporary demonstration projects that would be implemented during the summer, aimed at improving safety and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The demonstration projects provided an opportunity to test design concepts at prioritized areas identified in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan before making costly permanent changes.

After testing the demonstration projects and collecting public feedback, the Town of Kittery will be implenting the following long-term solutions:

John Paul Jones Park Crosswalks
The temporary crosswalks to John Paul Jones Park will be made permanent.  To accomplish this, the paint will be left in place and the sidewalks on the non-park sides of Newmarch Street and Hunter Avenue will be modified to incorporate ADA ramps.
 
Shapleigh/Whipple/Woodlawn Intersection Improvements
The northwest corner of Shapleigh Road/Whipple Road/Woodlawn Avenue (and the center median on Woodlawn Avenue) will be re-aligned with new curbs as outlined by the demonstration project.  The new curbs will shorten the widths of the roadways and shorten the turning radius at the street corners.
Sidewalks and crosswalks will remain in current locations.
 
These modifications will slow vehicular turning movements in the intersection and improve the way drivers yield to pedestrians waiting at crosswalks.
 
Shapleigh/Whipple/Woodlawn Curb Improvements
The 2023 demonstration project featured tubular bollards/delineators placed along the entire Shapleigh corridor, spaced 30-40 feet apart to improve motorists awareness of pedestrian activity. 
 
The bollards/delineators will now be replaced by painted curb extensions that will be implemented at the crosswalks on Shapleigh Road, north of the Whipple/Woodlawn Intersection to visually enhance the shoulders of the roadways.  These extensions, made with non-reflective paint, create the perception of a narrower roadway and signal to drivers a change in environment to encourage awareness of roadside activity.
 
Please see below for previous updates and events:
 
  • Bike/Ped Demonstration Project Public Input Session at 6:00 PM on October 4, 2023 in Council Chambers and Zoom.
    • To view the October 4, 2023 Public Input Session meeting video, please click here.
  • June 14, 2023 Bike/Ped Master Plan Demonstration Projects Public Information Session in Council Chambers
    • To view the June 14, 2023 Public Information Session meeting video, please click here.
  • February 2023 Bike/Ped Master Plan Demonstration Projects Update
    • The Town has submitted a request to MaineDOT to implement three demonstration projects from the Bike/Ped Master Plan. The three projects proposed are the realignment of Route 103/Whipple Road @ Rte 236/Shapleigh @ Woodlawn (Dan’s Crossing/Irving intersection); temporary bike/ped shoulder on Route 236 between Buckley/Manson Ave and Gate 2, and crosswalks to John Paul Jones Park.
      • To read the Town Manager's Report at the February 13, 2023 Town Council Meeting, please click here.
      • To watch the meeting video, please click here.
  • Sharing Roads - Cars, Bikes & Walkers - May 25, 2022 at 6:00 PM Sharing Roads Kittery
    • The Town of Kittery, MaineDOT and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine held an interactive virtual presentation. The presentation tested participants knowledge about what is legal, what is safe, and provided some new info about the best practices for people walking, bicycle riding, and driving on shared roads. 
  • Town of Kittery Draft Bicycle & Pededtrian Master Plan Report - November 22, 2021
  • Town of Kittery Draft Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Presentation via Zoom - Tuesday, November 16, 2021
    • The Town of Kittery held a virtual Public Meeting and Presentation of the Draft Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, which seeks to improve the traveling experience for everyone walking or biking in Kittery.  Attendees heard about current conditions, review proposed concepts of prioritized routes and intersections and learn about other potential strategies that would make walking and biking safer, and more comfortable.
      • To view the Draft Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Presentation video, please click here.
      • To view the Draft Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan Presentation slides (PDF), please click here. 
  • Site Visits via Bike Ride - Kittery Town Council, Planning Board, and Bike/Ped Working Group - October 17, 2021 
    • The Kittery Bike/Ped Master Plan Working Group, Kittery Town Council, and Kittery Planning Board will be participating in site visits, via bike ride, or intersections and routes being considered as priorities for the BIke/Ped Master Plan.  This is not an official meeting and no actions or votes will be taken.
  • Town Manager's Report - Town Council Meeting on September 13, 2021
  • Help Shape the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan with Our Interactive Wikimap
    • Using our interactive Wikimapping tool, the public can access an interactive map that will allow them to identify areas of concern and opportunities to enhance conditions for walking or cycling in the future.  The feedback collected from this outreach will be used to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist improvement locations, and help Kittery plan future walking and biking investments.
      • For detailed instructions on how to use the mapping tool, click the “About & Help'' dropdown on the map site linked above.  For assistance, or to report any issues with the map, please contact the project team at info@kitterypedbikestudy.com.
  • Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Steering Committee Has Been Formed
    • As part of our commitment to improving conditions for cyclists and pedestrians within Kittery, a Steering Committee has been formed for the development of Kittery’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. This plan will become the blueprint for targeted investments aimed at making our roads more hospitable for bicyclists and pedestrians.  Local knowledge and input, when linked with our consultant-led team of bicycle and pedestrian planners, is an integral part of the process.  
  • Town Manager's Report - Town Council Meeting on April 12, 2021