Southern Maine lawmakers want to repeal law authorizing controversial Gorham Connector
Lawmakers from southern Maine have banned together on legislation to scrap the controversial Gorham Connector project that sought to expand suburban access to I-95.
While she knows the region needs a solution for traffic congestion driven by population growth, 'the connector is not the solution,' said Sen. Stacy Brenner (D-Cumberland), lead sponsor on the bill that is set to have a public hearing before the Transportation Committee Thursday afternoon.
In 2017, the Maine Legislature passed legislation that allowed the Turnpike Authority to review traffic conditions west of Portland in Gorham, Scarborough, South Portland and Westbrook and build a five-mile connector to mitigate backups. Then-Gov. Paul LePage vetoed the bill because it was a toll access road, but lawmakers overwhelmingly voted to override his objection.
When that law was passed, traffic projections were much higher than what is seen today, Brenner said. Traffic modeling assumes steady growth, she explained, but the reality depends on shifts in commuting patterns, land use and transportation choices, so it's important to base infrastructure designs on the most up-to-date data.
Brenner said she heard concerns from residents and key municipalities 'loudly' on the campaign trail last summer.
Opponents have said it is too large of a fix for a problem that only occurs at limited times in certain areas, according to reporting from the Portland Press Herald. And Brenner also pointed out that any route for the connector would cut through Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook, a family-owned dairy farm and valued part of the community. Preserving local businesses and working landscapes is important when planning for future transportation needs, she said.
The Gorham Connector would have linked the Maine Turnpike at Exit 45 to the Gorham Bypass off Route 114. The intention was to improve the connection to the Turnpike and I-295 while reducing the commuter traffic on neighborhood roads.
With an estimated cost of at least $330 million, Brenner said there should be careful consideration of the investment, especially when studies from the Turnpike Authority show a new highway would only reduce commute times by an average of four minutes.
'Repealing the law allows for a fresh approach to transportation planning, ensuring that any future proposals align with community needs and priorities,' she said.
'Hundreds of constituents have contributed their time and voices into opposing this project and have asked for this bill to be brought forward.'
LD 1020 would create that blank slate by repealing the 2017 law. It would also require the Turnpike Authority to resell any land purchased for the project back to the previous owner.
If the previous owner doesn't want the property back, the bill stipulates that it would then be given to the municipality at no cost. If the municipality doesn't want the land, it would need to donate it to a local land trust. If they also don't want the land, then it can be offered for sale at a public auction.
Other Democrats from that corner of the state have signed on to the bill, including Sen. Anne Carney of Cumberland County, and Reps. Drew Gattine of Westbrook, Kelly Murphy and Sophie Warren of Scarborough, as well as Eleanor Sato and Parnell Terry of Gorham. Rep. Laurie Osher (D-Orono) is also a cosponsor.
Transportation officials agreed in early March to consider alternative plans for addressing traffic west of Portland. The Turnpike Authority asked the Maine Department of Transportation to do a two-year comprehensive review of the benefits and limitations of changing the existing infrastructure, as well as gather input from people affected by the traffic in that area.
Although the landscape has evolved due to factors such as changes in post-pandemic commuting and the state's housing crisis, the Turnpike Authority said there could still be a need for an 'innovative transportation solution' for that area.
Rather than expanding highways, Brenner said there should be an effort to strengthen existing urban areas, improve mobility options and support local economies.
'Thoughtful, data-driven planning will help ensure the best outcomes for the region's future,' she said.
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