MaineDOT Launches Portland West Study to Address Regional Traffic Challenges Through Public Engagement
Collaboration, transparency, and public engagement will guide this effort to address regional traffic challenges.
For Immediate Release
Contact: newsmedia.mainedot@maine.gov
AUGUSTA – April 21, 2026 — The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is launching a new, collaborative effort to study and address long-standing traffic challenges in communities west of Portland.
The Portland-West Study will bring together municipal leaders, stakeholders, community members, and transportation partners to examine congestion, safety, and multimodal issues that have been the focus of discussion in the region for decades.
MaineDOT’s effort builds on prior work in the corridor, which has long been the focus of discussions about traffic impact in communities of Gorham, Scarborough, South Portland and Westbrook. The study will move forward with a renewed emphasis on transparency, communication, and meaningful public engagement. “This is about bringing people together,” said MaineDOT Commissioner Dale Doughty. “Communities in this region have been talking about traffic challenges for a long time. Our goal is to create a process that is open, collaborative, and grounded in public input so that we can identify solutions that reflect the needs and priorities of the people who live and work here.”
Advisory Committee to Guide Process
As part of the study’s kickoff, MaineDOT will convene an Advisory Committee representing a broad cross-section of the region, including residents from affected communities, municipal and business leaders, transportation and planning stakeholders, and advocacy groups. This group will make recommendations to the study team and provide high level guidance throughout the study process.
The Advisory Committee will hold its first bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 28, from 2-3:30pm in a hybrid open meeting format, allowing members of the public to attend/listen-in to the discussion both in-person and virtually. This initial session will introduce committee members, outline their role in the study and provide input on upcoming project tasks.
Public Meeting Planned for May
MaineDOT will host the first of three public engagement phases the week of May 18th to formally launch the study and invite participation from the wider community. There will be a virtual public meeting as well as an in-person workshop event where members of the public will have the opportunity to:
Learn about the study and its focus on partnership with constituents
Share feedback
Identify concerns and priorities
Help shape the direction of future analysis and potential solutions
Details on the May public meetings, including date, time, and location, will be announced through the media and on the project website (Portland West | Maine Department of Transportation) in the coming weeks.
Focus on Collaboration and Solutions
The Portland-West Study is intended to serve as a comprehensive, community-driven process to evaluate transportation needs and identify practical, forward-looking solutions for the region.
MaineDOT will work closely with local communities and partners throughout the study to ensure that a full range of perspectives is considered. The study is expected to last 15 months and will provide recommendations in the spring of 2027.
“This effort will only succeed if it reflects the voices of the people it is meant to serve,” Doughty said. “We are committed to listening, engaging, and working together to move this region forward.”