MDOT seeks opinions for study of traffic issues west of Portland

Maine Department of Transportation to Host Public Meetings on Traffic Study in Western Portland Area

The Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) is opening the door for community input on a new traffic study that will examine congestion in the Gorham, Scarborough, South Portland, and Westbrook corridor. Two public sessions—one in person and one virtual—will take place next week.

The meetings are part of the “Portland‑West Study,” which MDOT launched in May to investigate existing traffic patterns, anticipate future travel demand, and evaluate ways to increase roadway capacity. Officials say potential measures include better signal timing, expanded public transit options, and more walking and biking connections.

Meeting Details

• Drop‑in open house – Tuesday, September 22, 5:00–7:30 p.m. at the Shaw Gym, Gorham Municipal Center
• Virtual session – Thursday, September 24, 6:00–7:30 p.m. via Zoom

Both sessions will provide an overview of the study, introduce the project team, and give residents a chance to voice concerns and suggestions.

“This is about bringing people together,” MDOT Commissioner Dale Doughty said in an April press release. “Communities in this region have been talking about traffic challenges for a long time.”

Background

The study follows a shelved plan from the Maine Turnpike Authority that last year proposed a four‑lane toll road connector to Gorham. The connector—intended to relieve rush‑hour traffic on Routes 22 and 114—would have linked the roundabout at South Street (Route 114) and the southern end of Gorham’s Bernard Rines Bypass with the Turnpike’s Exit 45 in South Portland. The proposal met public opposition because it would have cut through Smiling Hill Farm in Westbrook and other properties.

An advisory committee, comprising residents, business leaders, advocacy groups, transportation representatives, and municipal officials, has met bi‑monthly since April to guide the study’s direction.

Additional Context

The public meetings will occur just a week after the Gorham Planning Board approved Amazon’s proposed warehouse on 94 acres off Main Street (Route 25). The facility is projected to generate over 3,000 daily vehicle trips, with trucks traveling five miles down Route 25 through Westbrook to the Maine Turnpike. Amazon still requires a MDOT permit before construction can proceed, and local officials have expressed concerns that the additional traffic could worsen congestion in the already‑busy corridor.

Public Participation

Residents and stakeholders are encouraged to attend either the in‑person or virtual session to learn more about the study’s goals and to share their perspectives. The meetings are scheduled to help shape the study’s recommendations before MDOT moves forward with potential solutions to the region’s traffic challenges.