Portland seeks feedback on long-awaited plan for overhauling Franklin Arterial

Portland Unveils Draft Plan to Transform Franklin Arterial into Pedestrian‑Friendly Corridor

Portland, Maine — City officials announced a new draft design for Franklin Arterial, a busy stretch that runs between Marginal Way and Commercial Street. The proposal, which will be open for public comment through September 25, seeks to narrow roadway lanes, reconnect blocked‑off neighborhood streets, add protected bike lanes, and improve crosswalks. The city estimates the redesign could free up about 3.5 acres—enough for roughly 700 new homes—by converting former right‑of‑way into usable land.

A Return to the Neighborhood

The Franklin Arterial was built in the 1950s as a quick link between Interstate 295 and downtown Portland. In doing so, it removed around 100 buildings and severed the through‑streets of Lancaster, Oxford, Federal, and Newbury, effectively turning a once‑thriving low‑income, immigrant neighborhood into a car‑centric corridor. Local advocacy groups such as the Franklin Reclamation Authority and the Urbanist Coalition of Portland have long called for a redesign that would restore the area’s original character.

“We’re aiming to bring people back into the streets,” said Kevin Kraft, Portland’s director of planning and urban development. “The redesign will restore those connections.” In one of the most dramatic changes, Kraft noted, “the curb‑to‑curb width in some areas will shrink by more than half, coming down to about 50‑60 feet.”

Safety and Accessibility

Franklin Street has been identified as a top safety priority for the city. Two pedestrians died on the arterial last year, prompting the mayor’s office to push for urgent improvements. The draft plan includes separated bike lanes, upgraded crosswalks, and better signal timing to protect both cyclists and pedestrians.

“Putting people first is the heart of this redesign,” Kraft said. “We’re making sure that the corridor isn’t just a shortcut for cars, but a place where residents can walk, bike, and connect.”

Public Input and Next Steps

The city is hosting a public presentation and feedback session on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in the Portland Public Library. Residents and interested parties can view the draft online and submit comments through the city’s dedicated portal.

“We’re listening to the community,” Kraft added. “Comments are already coming in that question certain design elements, especially at the Franklin‑Marginal Way intersection. That input will shape the final study.”

Once the public comment period closes, the final study will move to Portland’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee, where it will be reviewed before the City Council in the fall. If approved, the project will advance to the design and engineering phase, with more precise cost estimates to follow.

Funding and Historical Context

The initial design phase is already funded: a $2 million federal grant, plus $500,000 contributed locally by the city and the Maine Department of Transportation, will support the work. The project builds on the 2015 Franklin Street Redesign Master Plan, which outlined goals to reconnect neighborhoods and reclaim unused land for public benefit.

Portland’s leadership hopes the new corridor will transform a once‑desolate arterial into a vibrant, mixed‑use street that serves residents, businesses, and the wider community. The next few weeks will determine how much of that vision comes to fruition.