A concept image shows what a reimagined Washington Street north could look like if both sides became two-way traffic and northbound was turned into a more pedestrian-friendly, neighborhood level street. City of Auburn

AUBURN — What could the southern gateway into Auburn look like if it wasn’t centered along a high-speed thoroughfare?

That’s what the city and transportation consultants are considering as they build a concept for reimagining the Washington Street corridor, and they’re hoping to get public feedback regarding the proposal.

The concept, to be reviewed during a virtual public meeting Thursday, would turn both the northbound and southbound sides of Washington Street into two-way traffic — northbound becoming a more typical city street, and southbound for through traffic.

According to Jonathan LaBonte, transportation systems director for Auburn, the past two or more Comprehensive Plans for the city have identified the Washington Street corridor as an important gateway to welcome people into the city, but it’s “not the most attractive, inviting or safe corridor to do that.”

Traffic flows on Washington Street North, left and South, right Wednesday afternoon in Auburn. A new plan would make a section of each two way traffic with the existing South bound for through traffic and the northbound local traffic only. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal

If determined to be feasible from a traffic flow standpoint, the city is looking to turn Washington Street northbound into a more pedestrian-friendly area that could attract reinvestment and redevelopment and create a better connection between the Little Androscoggin River and New Auburn, which are essentially walled off from each other by the high volume of traffic.

LaBonte said there’s a possibility that the change could result in new housing — depending on the level of support from adjacent property owners — which he described as “a new neighborhood rather than a forgotten backyard.” And given its proximity to the Little Androscoggin River, the area could be tied into trails and recreation, along with “new opportunities for investment.”

A city presentation on the topic said Washington Street was built in the late 19th century as a local street with a mix of residential and commercial buildings. In 1955, the Maine Turnpike came to Auburn, and in 1963, Washington Street was expanded into a state highway, turning the two-way street into a four-lane, separated highway.

The presentation said both sides of the corridor have multiple high-crash locations, primarily caused by conflicts between local and through traffic traveling at high speeds, and “there are no sidewalks, bike lanes, or any way for people to safely travel to locations along Washington Street without a car.”

“Washington Street today divides the city, forming an impassible corridor that separates the neighborhoods that surround it to the north, east, and west,” it states. “It’s a boundary that limits use of developable land and makes it hard to access open space and recreation areas along the Little Androscoggin River.”

A map shows the broader vision of what a reimagining of the Washington Street corridor could look like. City of Auburn

LaBonte said a public meeting was held in late October attended by some 30 residents, many of whom are property owners in the immediate area. He said some have shown interest in developing housing or making land available for public trails.

The Maine Department of Transportation has been a partner in the talks, LaBonte said, but given the corridor’s importance in the region for connectivity, the plan would have to “ensure mobility.”

LaBonte said it’s difficult to picture Washington Street being anything other than the busy thoroughfare, which is why they’re trying to create images with which the public can brainstorm.

A website dedicated to the discussion asks residents to “imagine entering Auburn on a new, local Washington Street that’s safe and accessible, with sidewalks, trees, bike lanes, small businesses, and housing.”

“Riverfront trails connect to downtown Auburn and the Little (Androscoggin River). A bridge links new areas for development on the east and west sides, creating a new neighborhood centered on the river: the Little Androscoggin District,” it states.

LaBonte said there are no crossings on the Little Androscoggin and the plan could connect neighborhoods by way of the river, “as opposed to the river being this forgotten asset sitting in the center of the city.”

According to Mayor Jeff Harmon, there would be a connection from the area of Rodman Road across Washington, bridging the Little Androscoggin and terminating in the area of Broad and South Main streets.

LaBonte said the city will hold a series of meetings between now and late spring before final recommendations are prepared for the City Council, and staff organizes next steps. He said while some questions have centered on the cost of such a project, there is and has been federal interest in infrastructure that supports economic development, and with MDOT as a partner, he believes the project could compete for federal money.

For more information on the project, or to register for Thursday’s meeting, go to littleandrogateway.com.