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LEWISTON — A large portion of Canal Street will be transformed into a single-lane, pedestrian-friendly experiment this summer as a way to test traffic calming measures that could become permanent in the future.

Between the months of June and September, the road will be reduced to one lane for vehicles, with a two-way bicycle lane installed and separated from traffic with “flex posts” or bollards. Another section of the street along the canal will become a public space with temporary granite benches and trees.

The city has partnered with the Maine Department of Transportation on the demonstration project as part of a larger effort to address “safety deficiencies” along several Lewiston corridors.

Public Works Director Kevin Gagne said the overall goal is to consider both short-term and long-term investments the city could make toward safety improvements, and that MDOT supports road demonstrations as a way to test potential solutions and collect data without committing to permanent changes.

Mayor Carl Sheline said Wednesday that developing better public infrastructure leads to economic development, and he’s “hopeful that this demo will build public support for projects that will generate economic growth for Lewiston.”

Canal Street is a one-way street with two travel lanes starting at Main Street. The demonstration will occur on the section of Canal Street between Main and Chestnut streets.

Gagne said Canal Street was chosen because the project also factored in recommendations from the recently updated Riverfront Island Master Plan, which prioritizes making connections between the riverwalk and downtown, as well as canal revitalization.

The plan includes several recommended pedestrian upgrades, including separated two-way bike lanes along Canal Street, but also includes a vision for the canals that makes them more of a focal point. Images from the plan show a multi-modal transportation system along Canal Street, with overlooks and other features along the canals.

The Canal Street demonstration project will add a two-way bike lane along the entire stretch by using temporary lines. In order for some sections to work, particularly for the public space along the canal, portions that are now parking will be removed.

Gagne said they’re looking at temporary features to use in the space, including reclaimed granite that could be used for benches. Gagne said the features are meant to “allow people to walk Canal street, and take in the views.” The plans also call for a number of trees, still in containers, along the curbing.

In total, the space will result in a loss of nine parking spots between Ash and Pine streets. At the intersection of Canal and Ash streets, a stop will be added, along with an improved crosswalk, to reduce speeds.

Prior to receiving the go-ahead from the City Council this week, Councilor Tim Gallant questioned if canal beautification would be included as part of the demo. He said he’s concerned that the public space aspect of the demo will be drawing attention to a canal area that’s anything but nice to look at.

“Are you going to walk down the street with your hand down the right side of your face?” he said.

Gagne said the canal cleanup has not been built into the project because the demonstration is focused on traffic, but that the city is working with a contractor regarding future canal work.

Ever since the city took ownership of the canal system, there’s been discussions over how best to utilize it — including visions of kayaking and skating — but officials are still trying to nail down the best way to make the canals a focal point while not inviting safety issues. A pilot project to create steps down to the canal or an overlook along Oxford Street is in the design phase now.

The council ultimately supported the Canal Street demo project unanimously, with several councilors in agreement that the temporary trial is a good way to test a new traffic flow. The city has done several demonstrations, including a similar bike lane test along Lincoln Street in 2018 during the Build Maine conference.

Gagne said the state supports the projects “because they realize permanent traffic calming measures are expensive and that some municipalities may be reluctant to spend money on treatments not knowing if they will have an appropriate impact.”

He said they want to implement the demonstration sometime in May, and that it typically takes six weeks for the public to learn a new pattern. Officials also want to give it as much time as possible to garner public input, he said.