Portland West | Maine Department of Transportation

Recognizing continued growth across the Portland West region, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is undertaking a comprehensive and collaborative planning effort to evaluate and improve the area’s transportation system. The Portland West Balanced Mobility Improvements Study will update and build upon previous analyses to develop a multimodal approach that enhances mobility and safety while supporting long-term local, regional, and statewide growth and land-use goals.

The study area primarily includes the communities of South Portland, Scarborough, Westbrook, and Gorham, with additional analysis conducted as needed for adjacent communities, including Portland, Buxton, Hollis, and Standish. This multifaceted study will examine existing traffic congestion and travel patterns; review prior research related to future travel demand, land-use expectations, and population growth; and evaluate the benefits and limitations of changes to existing roadway capacity. The study will also explore transportation demand management strategies, such as improved signal timing, carpooling options, expanded transit service, and enhanced walking and bicycling connections.

Meaningful collaboration with municipalities, regional partners, stakeholders, and the public will be essential to developing a balanced set of mobility and safety solutions that reflect the needs and character of the Portland West communities.

Community members are encouraged to participate in ongoing engagement opportunities to learn more about the study, meet the project team, share opinions and feedback, highlight key concerns and priorities, and help guide future analysis.

Stay Involved

Advisory Committee Meeting - 8/11/26

Date: Tuesday, August 11th, 1:00-3:00 pm

Location: Council Chambers, Scarborough Town Hall, 259 US-1, Scarborough, ME 04074

Note on Public Participation: The meeting will be open to members of the public to listen to the meeting in person. There will NOT be a virtual option for this meeting date, due to the workshop format. A recording of the meeting will be made available to the public afterwards on this website.

For additional inquiries, please reach out to us through the Portland West Team comment form. You can also stay up to date on the project by joining our email distribution list.

Public Meeting recordings

Advisory Committee Goals and Members

This study has an Advisory Committee whose role is to advise, evaluate, and inform the study team throughout the entirety of the study. The Committee gives input on study process and key deliverables. The Advisory Committee will assist with providing local and regional perspectives by serving as a connection point to community members and stakeholders, bringing their constituents' perspectives into the process, and offering diverse perspectives and unique viewpoints.

The Advisory Committee will make recommendations to MaineDOT and provide high level guidance throughout the study process. They may raise potential challenges and opportunities for the study team from transportation-related, local, and regional knowledge.

Advisory Committee Members

Mike Tremblay - Greater Portland Metro (GP Metro)
Andrew Zarro – Bicycle Coalition of Maine
Chris Chop - Greater Portland Council of Governments (GPCOG)
Paul Drinan - Vision Zero Maine
Dean Williams - Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC)
Milan Nevajda - City of South Portland
Melissa Hutchins - City of South Portland (Alternate)
Tom Poirer - Town of Gorham
Jennie Franceschi - City of Westbrook
Eric Dudley - City of Westbrook (Alternate)
Angela Blanchette - Town of Scarborough
Autumn Speer - Town of Scarborough (Alternate)
Nell Donaldson - City of Portland
Brian Parke - Maine Motor Transport Association

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Portland West Balanced Mobility Improvement Study?
The Portland West Balanced Mobility Improvements Study is a Maine Department of Transportation planning effort to evaluate current and future transportation needs in the Portland West region. The study will look at how people move through the area today and identify practical, balanced strategies to improve mobility, safety, and reliability for all users.

Which communities are included in the study area?
The primary study area includes:
•    South Portland
•    Scarborough
•    Westbrook
•    Gorham

The study may also look at transportation issues and solutions in nearby communities including Portland, Buxton, Hollis, and Standish, where travel patterns or transportation impacts extend beyond municipal boundaries.

Why is MaineDOT conducting this study?
Communities in the Portland West region are experiencing continued growth in population, housing, and economic activity. This study will update and build on previous studies to help ensure the transportation system can safely and efficiently support growth while aligning with local, regional, and statewide land-use and transportation goals.

What transportation issues will the study examine?
The study will evaluate a range of transportation-related topics, including:
•    Existing and projected traffic congestion
•    Travel patterns and future demand
•    Roadway safety and reliability
•    The performance of key corridors and intersections
•    Opportunities to improve travel choices beyond driving alone

Will the study look at widening roads or adding new roads?
Yes, this study explores multiple options that include changing the current roadway or adding a new road. No specific projects have been predetermined. This study will look at the trade-offs that come with different types of roadway solutions, which will be considered alongside safety improvements, environmental impacts, community impacts, costs, and long-term sustainability.

How do previous studies inform the Portland West study?
The Portland Wast Balanced Mobility Improvements Study builds on numerous plans, ranging from statewide MaineDOT plans to local and municipal plans from communities within the study area, including Scarborough, Westbrook, Gorham Village, South Portland, and Portland. Foundational studies include the 2012 Gorham East-West Corridor feasibility study and the Maine Turnpike Authority Gorham Connector Project. See the Additional Resources section on this webpage for links to relevant studies and plans.

These previous plans and studies provide historical context and potential solutions for the study area. They inform the vision and goals for the Portland West study, as well as what priorities matter most when evaluating proposed alternatives. MaineDOT will develop multiple alternatives that consider previously identified issues and seek to meet regional needs while improving travel conditions for all road users. MaineDOT will work closely with municipalities, regional partners, businesses, and residents to understand local needs, concerns, and priorities.

How will local communities and the public be involved?
Public and stakeholder input is an important part of this study. MaineDOT will work closely with municipalities, regional partners, businesses, and residents to understand local needs, concerns, and priorities. At the onset of the project, an Advisory Committee was established with local, municipal, regional leaders to provide high-level guidance and offer diverse community perspectives throughout the study process. The Advisory Committee meets at key development milestones, about every other month.

MaineDOT completed Phase 1 engagement in June 2026, which focused on existing conditions, the community’s vision and goals, and potential criteria to evaluate alternatives. Phase 2 engagement will begin in Fall 2026, building upon what we heard from the public in Phase 1. In Phase 2, MaineDOT will ask the community to share what solutions they would add or change about the design of proposed alternatives. Phase 3 engagement will occur in Spring 2027, when MaineDOT will share final draft alternatives and recommendations. Public feedback during Phase 3 will focus on which proposed solutions best meet communities’ needs and the study’s goals. Opportunities for public engagement will be shared as the study progresses.

What does “balanced mobility” mean?
Balanced mobility means considering a wide range of transportation options and strategies, rather than relying on a single solution. This may include roadway improvements, better traffic signal coordination, transit enhancements, carpooling and ridesharing options, and improved walking and bicycling connections, depending on what best meets community needs.

What modes of transportation are included in this project? Will the study consider transit, walking, and bicycling?
This study looks at many ways that people travel throughout the region like walking, biking, driving, or taking public transit. The study will evaluate opportunities to improve bus service, options to walk and bike, and connections between transportation modes, recognizing that a well-functioning transportation system supports different ways of getting around.

Will restoring Mountain Rail Division Infrastructure (to rail or trail) be considered in this Study?
The Portland West Balanced Mobility Improvements Project does not have any involvement in the Mountain Division Rail Corridor Project, right-of-way, or potential future investments. Through a separate project, MaineDOT is designing a 10-mile trail from Fryeburg to Hiram as an extension of the existing Mountain Division Trail in Fryeburg. This is part of the Department’s directive in LD 404 of 2023, which authorizes MaineDOT to develop 31-miles of the corridor between Standish and Fryeburg as an interim trail.

We encourage you to visit the Fryeburg-Hiram, Mountain Division Trail project StoryMap to learn more and submit a comment about the Fryeburg-Hiram segment of the Mountain Division Trail.

Will passenger rail be considered in this study?
At this time, passenger rail is not being evaluated for this study. The study is looking at solutions that make walking, biking, and taking public transit more comfortable, accessible, and safe for road users. The Portland West Balanced Mobility Improvement Study will develop and evaluate a variety of improvements that ensure the local transportation system can safely accommodate growth in the region while aligning with statewide goals. We will consider a wide range of transportation options and strategies rather than relying on a single solution; this may include roadway improvements, better traffic signal coordination, bus transit enhancements, carpooling and ridesharing options, and improved walking and bicycling connections, depending on what best meets community needs.

How is MaineDOT considering environment impacts?
MaineDOT understands the importance of natural and community resources, which is why all State transportation projects must go through an Environmental Review Process (PDF). Any alternative that moves forward based on this study will be assessed for its potential environmental impacts to natural and cultural resources, such as wildlife habitats and historic places.

Does this study commit MaineDOT to building specific projects?
No. This is a planning study. Its purpose is to identify and evaluate potential strategies and recommendations. Any future projects will need additional planning, funding decisions, and public review.

What happens after the study is completed?
The study’s findings will help guide future transportation planning and investment decisions in the Portland West region. Recommendations may inform local, regional, and state planning efforts and help communities prepare for future growth.

How can I stay informed?
Project updates, public meeting information, and study materials will be posted on this webpage as they become available. You can also stay up to date on the project by joining our email distribution list.

Additional Resources

Schedule

Advisory Committee Meetings are planned for every two months, including April, 2026, June 2026, August 2026, October 2026, December 2026, February 2027, and April 2027.
Phase 1 of outreach focused on existing conditions and evaluation criteria, between March 2026 and June 2026.
Phase 2 of outreach will be focused on feedback to refine draft alternatives, which will run from August 2026 through October 2026, with public meetings and an online survey during September 2026.
Phase 3 of outreach will be focused on evaluating alternatives, which will run from January 2027 through April 2027, with public meetings focused during March 2027.
The final recommendations report is expected to be completed by June 2027.