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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2024
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Public meeting for proposed regional connector road to occur on Monday, March 25, 2024
Open House from 4:30 to 6:00 PM, Presentation and Public Comment begins at 6:00 PM
(PORTLAND, Maine) - The first public meeting for a regional connector road between Exit 45 on the Maine Turnpike and the Gorham Bypass off Route 114, south of Gorham Village, will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 in Gorham. The meeting will be held in the Shaw Gym at the Gorham Municipal Center (75 South Street, Suite 1). The meeting will be hosted by area municipalities in partnership with the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA) and the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT).
There will be an in-person open house from 4:30 to 6:00 PM where attendees can view displays and ask questions one-on-one about the road location, funding, environmental adaptations, community impacts, and other key topics. At 6:00 PM, a brief presentation will provide an overview of the project, after which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. Individuals who cannot attend the meeting can watch online starting at 6:00 PM by
clicking on this link.
Background Info
Fueled by direction from the Maine Legislature and joint municipal/agency agreements with Gorham, Scarborough, Westbrook, South Portland, and MaineDOT, MTA has been working on plans for this connector for multiple years. The need for such a connection has been part of regional transportation conversations for over two decades. MTA has been meeting with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Maine Department of Environmental Protection since 2014, with increased engagement since 2019 in preparation for the required environmental review.
Because toll revenue will fully fund the connector's construction and ongoing maintenance, no taxpayer dollars will be required to make the road a reality.
In terms of mapping the specific alignment the road will take, MTA started with determining the two endpoints of the connector: Turnpike Exit 45 in South Portland at one end, and the junction of the Gorham Bypass with Route 114, south of Gorham Village, on the other end. The criteria used to determine the route in between heavily depended on skirting as many environmentally sensitive areas as possible and avoiding negative effects on homes and businesses.
Area municipalities have long awaited this connector road and are helping to host and facilitate the public outreach program. A project website is immediately available for public access, showcasing a background video, FAQs, project updates, and, most importantly, an easy-to-access format for the public to comment and ask questions 24/7.