BRUNSWICK

Brunswick’s planning board approved a sketch plan for a $2 million Cook’s Corner connector road on Tuesday.

Town Manager John Eldridge said last week the proposed construction of a connector road linking Gurnet Road and Admiral Fitch Drive at Cook’s Corner is intended to increase access to the growing Brunswick Landing site.

John Adams, a transportation engineer working on the project, told the board the connector road is designed to mitigate the high amount of traffic while taking into account future growth at Brunswick Landing.

He said a three-lane road balances today’s needs with the capacity for growth. There will be a five-foot bike path included in the design, as well as sidewalks. The design of the road plans for three 11-foot travel lanes; two going in opposite directions and a middle turning lane.

Adams cited a survey of Brunswick Landing workers, which indicated that 40 percent said they were “very likely” to use the road and 30 percent said they would try using it.

Town Councilor Kathy Wilson, who is also a member of the pedestrian and bike committee, said Cook’s Corner is now a very dangerous place to be on foot or on a bicycle. She said there are many people living in east Brunswick, including many children, who will benefit from walking and biking to Brunswick Landing.

“This is a dream come true for the pedestrian and bike committee,” she said. “It’s a delightful and progressive way to go in this area and I’m hoping Brunswick Landing will continue to grow.”

Eldridge said last week the project is estimated to cost between $1.5 and $2 million, and discussions with the Maine Department of Transportation, the Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority and various developers are underway to divvy up the cost.

Funding will be pulled from Tax Increment Financing, the MDOT, and other sources, according to a letter to Anna Breinich, the town’s director of planning and development. Brunswick is represented by Portland engineering firm Milone & MacBroom.

Although there is still the permitting process to get through, with the town and state agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Protection, construction could begin as early as this winter, the town manager said Friday.

The town must acquire easements from property owners to start the work. Jim Howard of Priority Real Estate Group, as well as Chris Rhoades of Brunswick Landing Ventures LLC, have written to the town, agreeing to convey a portion of their properties as a right of way.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com

Design details

• THERE WILL BE a five-foot bike path included in the design, as well as sidewalks. The design of the road plans for three 11- foot travel lanes; two going in opposite directions and a middle turning lane.

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