Deering Ave Installation Report

 The Active Transportation Committee took to the streets this summer, partnering with the City of Portland and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Imagine People Here campaign, to design and install a demonstration project around the intersection of Deering Avenue and Revere Street. This approach of using low-cost, easy-to-install materials like paint and plastic lane delineators, to test traffic calming changes to street design is often referred to as tactical urbanism.  Some pictures of the installation process were posted here in an earlier article.

In the 113 days between installation on July 15, and removal on November 5, the Friends of Woodfords Corner collected survey data from 129 people (126 online and 3 on paper) to evaluate the project.  The responses were overwhelmingly positive: 81% said the changes slowed down motor vehicle traffic (which is at the core of most traffic calming measures), 75% of all respondents reported that the installation made the roadway safer, 87% of those who reported riding their bicycles on Deering said the installation made it better, 67% said that the walking experience was better with 63% saying that it felt safer to cross the street. 

The survey also allowed people to provide more detailed comments, and they were very encouraging. A number of comments noted that the area felt “more welcoming” and made patronizing local businesses like Big Sky Bakery more pleasant and attractive.  Many expressed the hope that these changes could be made permanent. Friends of Woodfords Corner also collected feedback on how the project might have been improved and there were many excellent suggestions, which will inform another round of demonstration projects in 2022.