Section 229-299-B-2 - TECHNICAL STANDARDSThe technical standards that apply depend upon the type of highway. Entrances onto any state and state aid road located outside urban compact areas must comply with the basic safety standards in Section 2.1. If the entrance is onto a Major Collector or a Non-compact Arterial, it must also comply with the increased or additional standards in Section 2.2. If the entrance is onto a Mobility Arterial, it must also comply with the increased or additional standards in Sections 2.2 and 2.3. If the entrance is onto a Retrograde Arterial, it must also comply with the increased or additional standards in Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4.
2.1. Basic Safety Standards A. Sight Distance. The minimum allowable sight distances for all entrances onto all state and state aid highways located outside urban compact areas are set forth in Table 1. For standard passenger vehicles, the sight distances shown in the middle column apply. Unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D), if more than 30% of the traffic projected to use the proposed entrance will be larger vehicles, the sight distances shown in the right hand column apply. Table 1 - Sight Distance
| Posted Speed | Sight Distance Standard Vehicles | Sight Distance Larger Vehicles |
| (MPH) | (Feet) | (Feet) |
| 20 | 155 | 230 |
| 25 | 200 | 300 |
| 30 | 250 | 375 |
| 35 | 305 | 455 |
| 40 | 360 | 540 |
| 45 | 425 | 635 |
| 50 | 495 | 740 |
| 55 | 570 | 855 |
| 60 | 645 | 965 |
B. Entrance Width. If 30% or less of the traffic projected to use the proposed entrance will be larger vehicles, the width of a two-way entrance within the highway right of way must be between 22 and 30 feet inclusive, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D). If more than 30% of the traffic projected to use the proposed entrance will be larger vehicles, the width of a two-way entrance within the highway right of way must be between 30 and 42 feet inclusive, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D). Entrances must be designed in accordance with the MaineDOT Standard Details included in Appendix G. Unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D), the entrance width will be the minimum necessary to accommodate the design-vehicle.C. Corner Clearance. Unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D), the minimum corner clearance for entrances onto Major Collectors or Non-Compact Arterials must be 100 feet for un-signalized intersections and 125 feet for signalized intersections except that at no time will an entrance be located on the radius of the two intersecting roadways.D. Turnaround Area / Parking. Entrances will be designed such that all maneuvering and parking of any vehicles will take place outside of the highway right of way and such that vehicles may exit the premises without backing onto the highway traveled way or shoulder. All entrances must have a turnaround area with a width of at least 8 feet and a length of at least 15 feet or the length of the design vehicle, whichever is greater.E. Drainage Standards (1) Culvert Size. Pursuant to 23 M.R.S.A. §705, MaineDOT will determine the diameter of culverts within the highway right of way depending upon local conditions.(2) Construction and Maintenance Standards. Driveways, on-site ditches, swales, pipes and other structures that direct runoff toward MaineDOT ditches or drainage systems must be constructed, crowned, stabilized and maintained with stable materials and appropriate erosion control measures such as permanent vegetation or stone.(3) Mitigation. If the proposed development poses a significant drainage risk, then the applicant must mitigate the impacts of increases in peak flow from storms into MaineDOT drainage systems through measures specified by MaineDOT, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to section 3.3(D). Mitigation measures may include on-site controls, off-site improvements, or payment of a fee pursuant to 23 M.R.S.A. §57-A. A "significant drainage risk" exists (a) when the applicant proposes a fixed connection to a closed system drainage structure owned by MaineDOT or (b) when MaineDOT determines, using accepted engineering and hydrologic principles, that: (i) the proposed driveway has a grade of 10% or greater for a length of 150 feet or more draining toward the highway; (ii) the proposed development has more than 10,000 square feet of impervious surface draining toward the highway, or (iii) the proposed development will substantially contribute to the failure of a downstream MaineDOT facility. "Impervious surfaces" are the footprint of buildings, pavement, gravel, or other low-permeability or compacted surfaces, not including natural or man-made water bodies; "Peak flow" is the greatest rate of flow in a drainage way, measured as volume per unit of time, resulting from storms up to a 50-year event.(4) Retail Fueling Station Requirements. Applicants with entrances for use by retail fueling stations must demonstrate that in the event of a spill, deposit of contaminants in the right-of-way of the state or state aid highway will be contained.F. Intersection Angle / Radius of Edges. To the maximum extent practical, the entrance must be constructed perpendicular to the highway at the access point. Except where curbing exists or is proposed, the minimum radius on the edges of an entrance must be 10 feet, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D).G. Profile Requirements. The profile of the entrance must comply with the MaineDOT Standard Details included in Appendix G, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D).2.2. Major Collector & Arterial Standards In addition to the standards in Section 2.1, entrances onto Major Collectors & Non-compact Arterials must also comply with the increased or additional standards in this Section 2.2.
A. Paving of Entrance. The entrance including all radii must be paved from the edge of pavement of the highway to the highway right-of-way or to the length of the design vehicle, whichever is greater, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D).B. Corner Clearance from Controlled Access Off-Ramp. The minimum corner clearance from a controlled access off-ramp must be 500 feet, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D). Minimum corner clearance for driveways onto Mobility Arterials from controlled access on-ramps must meet the requirements of Section 2.1(C).C. On-Street Parking. Except in Designated Downtowns with existing posted speeds at or below 35 mph, parking within the highway right-of-way is prohibited. In Designated Downtowns with posted speeds at or below 35 mph, only parallel or diagonal on-street parking is permitted. Perpendicular parking is prohibited. Direct access into one or more off-street parking spaces is prohibited. Parking must not be situated such that it blocks sight distance along the highway or where vehicle headlights within the parking area may interfere with vision of drivers on the highway.D. Radius of Edges. Except where curbing exists or is proposed, the minimum radius on the edge of an entrance must be sufficient to allow the design vehicle to enter the entrance without encroaching into the path of exiting vehicles in accordance with the MaineDOT Standard Details included in Appendix G, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D).E. Throat Length. The throat is a portion of an entrance used to store vehicles waiting to exit from the entrance. The throat must be of sufficient length to prevent incoming vehicles from queuing back into the highway. Access from the throat to parking or other areas is prohibited, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D).F. Entrance Separator Strips. A separator strip is a strip of land that separates the roadway from the throat or parking area of an entrance. Entrance separator strips must be installed between the parking area and the roadway and along the throat, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D). The separator strip may include curbing, walkways, ditching or vegetation. The separator strip must extend away from the highway to the greater of (1) 5 feet from the right-of-way limits, (2) in areas where the right of way limits are defined by wrought portion, 7 feet from the edge of a clearly evident shoulder, or (3) in such wrought portion areas where a shoulder is not clearly evident, 9 feet from the edge of the traveled way. The property owner must maintain any vegetation within the separator strip such that it does not interfere with the sight distance at the entrance. In areas where sidewalks exist, curbing or wheel stops must be provided to prevent parking vehicles from interfering with pedestrian flow.G. Loading Dock Requirements. Loading docks or other delivery areas must not be located within the right-of-way and must be situated so that delivery vehicles do not encroach on the highway right-of-way. All trucks must maneuver entirely on-site.H. One-way Entrance Requirements. If a one-way system is proposed and the predominant traffic volume is truck traffic, the entrance will be configured on the minimum angle that permits the truck to enter or leave the highway safely and smoothly. Otherwise, all entrances will be configured perpendicular to the highway for at least the length of the design vehicle. A physical separation of curbing, ditching, grass or other landscaping must be used for one-way entrances and must be designed and constructed to prevent adjacent one-way entrances from becoming one entrance in practice. Both portions of a one-way entrance on a single lot must be separated from another one-way entrance by at least 12 feet. Both portions of a one-way entrance abutting a sidewalk must have a minimum separation of at least 18 feet and allow for 7 foot terminal ends and at least a 4 foot header in between. A terminal end is the end section of a run of curb that is sloped to aid the design vehicle in turning into the entrance or to meet Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§ 12131et seq., requirements. A header is a piece of curbing between two terminal ends.
A one-way entrance abutting a curbed, non-sidewalk section must have a minimum separation of at least 12 feet and allow for two 4-foot terminal ends separated by at least a 4-foot header.
I. Double Frontage Lots. Unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D), entrances for lots with frontage on a Non-compact Arterial and another public way, will be restricted to the other public way, unless MaineDOT determines that queuing of traffic using an entrance off the other public way would interfere with traffic on the Non-compact Arterial due to insufficient lot frontage along the other public way. If the other public way is a mobility or retrograde arterial the entrance must be located on the highway frontage that allows the intent of this rule to be most effectively and efficiently met. 2.3.Mobility Arterial Standards In addition to the applicable standards in Sections 2.1 and 2.2, entrances onto Mobility Arterials must also comply with the increased or additional standards in this Section 2.3.
A. Mobility Sight Distance. The sight distance for entrances onto Mobility Arterials must meet or exceed the distance listed in Table 2, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D). Sight distance is measured in accordance with its definition. Table 2 - Mobility Sight Distance
| Applicable Speed (MPH) | Sight Distance (Feet) |
| 20 | Not applicable |
| 25 | Not applicable |
| 30 | Not applicable |
| 35 | Not applicable |
| 40 | 580 |
| 45 | 710 |
| 50 | 840 |
| 55 | 990 |
| 60 | 1,150 |
B. Spacing Between Entrances. Unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D), new entrances onto Mobility Arterials must be separated from other existing or proposed driveways or entrances including those located across the highway and those serving the same lot, in accordance with the minimum spacing standards set forth in Table 3. Entrance spacing is measured from edge of driveway/entrance to edge of driveway/entrance, excluding radii. Driveways or entrances located directly across the highway from the proposed entrance will not be counted in applying the spacing standard. Table 3 - Minimum Entrance Spacing Standards
| Posted Speed (MPH) | Entrance Separation (Feet) |
| 25 or less | Not applicable |
| 30 | Not applicable |
| 35 | Not applicable |
| 40 | 175 |
| 45 | 265 |
| 50 | 350 |
| 55 or more | 525 |
When the traffic volume from the proposed entrance warrants installation of a traffic signal, the Minimum Signal Spacing standards in Table 4 will supplant the entrance spacing standards set forth in Table 3, unless the signal spacing standards are waived pursuant to Section 3.3(D).
C. Mobility Arterial Corner Clearance. The minimum corner clearance for entrances onto Mobility Arterials must be 125 feet, except as provided in Section 2.2(C) regarding controlled access off-ramps, and except that MDOT may require increased corner clearance if MDOT reasonably determines that the proposed entrance will significantly impact public safety or cause a reduction in posted speed.D. Number of Entrances. Except for forestry management and farming activities, lots on Mobility Arterials will be limited to one two-way or two one-way entrances, unless a waiver is granted pursuant to a Section 3.3(D).E. Traffic Signal Restrictions.(1) Prohibition on 55 mph Arterials. No proposed entrance will be permitted on a Mobility Arterial with a posted speed limit of 55 mph or greater if the proposed entrance serves a development that warrants installation of a traffic signal.(2) Signal Spacing. Unless a waiver is granted pursuant to Section 3.3(D), traffic signals will be restricted such that they are spaced along the Mobility Arterial so as to meet or exceed the distances set forth in Table 4.Table 4 - Minimum Signal Spacing
| Applicable Speed Mph | Applicable Non-compact Arterials Feet |
| 20 | Not applicable |
| 25 | Not applicable |
| 30 | Not applicable |
| 35 | Not applicable |
| 40 | 2,600 |
| 45 | 3,000 |
| 50 | 3,600 |
| 55 | Not Permitted |
F. Limitation on Location of Public Facilities. Except as provided otherwise in this section and unless waived pursuant to Section 3.3.(D), a public facility will not be granted an entrance onto a Mobility Arterial where the posted speed limit equals or exceeds 45 mph. Public facility means all improvements owned or operated by the state, a municipality, school administrative district or other public educational entity, regulated public utility, or other public entity. Public facilities include, but are not limited to, municipal offices, public works garages, and schools. This limitation does not apply to: Official State Visitor Information Centers and Traveler Rest Areas. State Park-and-Ride facilities. State or Federal recreation facilities (parks, boat launch areas and other similar facilities). Municipal recreation facilities where it can be shown that no other reasonable or feasible alternative exists. Public Facilities in the planning stages and for which public expenditures in the form of acquisition, final design and construction have already been made or committed before the effective date of this rule.Public facilities that generate sufficiently low volume of traffic so as to qualify for a driveway permit pursuant to MDOT's Driveway Rules, 17-229 Maine Administrative Rules Chapter 299, Part A. Such facilities may include fire towers, power substations, water towers or sanitary pump stations and telephone equipment huts.G. Shared Entrances. Whenever possible, property owners should seek opportunities for shared entrances onto Mobility Arterials.H. Mitigation. When the proposed entrance has been granted a waiver from these standards by MDOT and if MDOT reasonably determines, based upon accepted traffic engineering principles, that the proposed entrance will significantly impact public safety or cause a reduction in posted speed, the MDOT may require mitigation of traffic impacts from a proposed entrance onto a Mobility Arterial. In making such determinations, MDOT may consider existing developments planned or reasonably expected on the parcel of land owned or controlled by the applicant. If mitigation is required, applicants will be required to employ and, in some instances maintain, one or more of the mitigation techniques listed below. Such techniques generally will be considered in the order listed based upon the degree of impact of the proposed entrance.
(2) Removal of vegetation(4) Payment of a fee pursuant to 23 M.R.S.A. §57-A equal to an amount necessary for MDOT to purchase an easement on an adjacent lot for purposes of developing a shared entrance.(5) Payment of a fee pursuant to 23 M.R.S.A. §57-A equal to an amount necessary for MDOT to purchase easements across one or more lots for purposes of developing a frontage road for entrances serving residential subdivisions or commercial or industrial uses or parks.(6) Center and/or two-way left turn lanes.(7) Acceleration and/or deceleration lanes.(8) Medians and jug handles or turnarounds.(9) Grade or alignment change to the Mobility Arterial(10) Signal installation for entrances in accordance with Section 2.3(E)(2) unless specifically prohibited by this rule. Whenever construction occurs within the MDOT right-of-way, a construction and maintenance agreement between MDOT and the applicant generally will be required.
2.4. Retrograde Arterial Standards In addition to the applicable standards in Sections 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3, entrances onto Retrograde Arterials must also comply with the increased or additional standards in this Section 2.4.
A. Traffic Study. When the proposed entrance is projected to generate between 10 and 99 passenger car equivalent trips in a peak hour, MDOT may require the applicant to develop a traffic impact study in accordance with 17-229, Maine Administrative Rules, Chapter 305, Rules and Regulations pertaining to Traffic Movement Permits, pursuant to 23 M.R.S.A. §704-A.B. Paved Shoulders. MDOT may require the applicant to create or expand paved shoulders along the highway at the proposed entrance to assure and improve safe access and egress to and from the highway.C. Mobility Enhancement Measures. MDOT may require applicants to provide for improvement of the existing safety or mobility levels through mobility enhancement measures if MDOT reasonably determines, based upon accepted traffic engineering principles, that the proposed entrance will significantly impact public safety or cause a reduction in posted speed. Mobility enhancement measures include:(1) Elimination, combination or modification of existing driveways or entrances within the retrograde arterial corridor.(2) Development of frontage, backage or other service road within the retrograde arterial corridor to provide alternate access to existing driveways or entrances. Such measures may be implemented either by willing buyer and willing seller agreements or by payment of a fee pursuant to 23 M.R.S.A. §57-A to the MDOT to acquire the rights necessary to implement one of such measures.
17-229 C.M.R. ch. 299, § B-2