|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 07, 2026 |
Scarborough, ME — When the final 1.6‑mile “Close the Gap” segment of the Eastern Trail opened on August 6, it marked a major milestone: sixteen uninterrupted miles of off-road trail now link Bug Light in South Portland to downtown Saco. Heavy construction and a $7.5 million investment ultimately built the elevated structures over the Nonesuch River and the railroad, making the route possible.
But long before the excavators arrived, the Maine Turnpike Authority quietly helped make this future a little more reachable.
In 2015, the MTA transferred a parcel of land in Scarborough—formerly used as a wetland mitigation site—to the town after the site completed its regulatory monitoring period. According to Ben Bolduc, Right of Way Coordinator for MTA, the parcel spanned 20.62 acres and held a 1998 fair market value of $125,000. Municipalities rarely re‑appraise land set aside for conservation, so the 1998 valuation remains the documented figure; later covenants would have restricted appreciation. The MTA donated the land to Scarborough in 2015.
Although the donated MTA parcel never became part of the final trail alignment that opened last week, its presence still mattered. The newly built trail bends just out of reach of the former mitigation area, but the property played a meaningful role during the project’s early planning.
During initial route exploration, one proposed trail alignment would have crossed through that very parcel. Had that design been selected, the trail would have run directly across land previously owned and prepared by the MTA.
Even though the alignment ultimately shifted to remain entirely off-road, the MTA’s land transfer still supported the project. The property provided access flexibility during planning, helped keep options open as designs evolved, and allowed the project team to consider routes that made the final “Close the Gap” solution possible. In short, the MTA’s earlier stewardship helped ensure the project could move forward—even if the land itself was not used in the end.
Sean Paulhus, Government Relations Manager at the Maine Turnpike Authority, stopped by the ribbon cutting to celebrate the project. “We just wanted to be here and cheer on everyone who made this happen—the early planners, the volunteers, and the Town of Scarborough. We’ve teamed up with the town before on bridge projects and the bus service, so it feels great to support them on another milestone for the people of Maine.”
Now, with the trail complete, the parcel still offers opportunities for future enhancements that could complement the Eastern Trail’s growth.
“The MTA was pivotal in moving this project forward,” said Andre Briere, Executive Director of MTA. “The construction access and abutting wild lands we donated contributed to the beautiful trail that now exists for Maine people. This is just another example of how Maine’s Turnpike serves the multi-modal transportation and recreation needs of Maine. We look forward to enhancing active transportation options on future projects throughout our region.”
The MTA’s involvement in the Eastern Trail doesn’t stop here. For example, the Maine Turnpike Authority invested roughly $1.3 million to build the Kennebunk pedestrian bridge in 2011—a vital structure that safely carries the trail over the highway and closed another critical gap. These efforts exemplify the often-overlooked but impactful ways the Maine Turnpike Authority continues to support and expand Maine’s growing outdoor recreation system.
Join the Town of Scarborough, along with the City of South Portland and the Eastern Trail Alliance, for a Welcome Walk on Saturday, August 15 at 10 A.M. This free community event, guided by Eliza Alexander, Interim Executive Director of the Eastern Trail Alliance, offers a great opportunity to explore the newest stretch of the trail, meet fellow trail users, and hear about what’s ahead for the Trail’s continued development.Visit the Eastern Trail Alliance website to register and follow the most up to date details.