GORHAM – Nearly two miles of off-road, paved path along a long-discontinued railroad would be opened up for hikers and bicyclists if Gorham lands a state grant.

Nature lovers and snowmobilers already utilize the scenic trail. But paving the trail would afford an alternative route of traveling to work for bicyclists and would also increase recreational use, said Sandra Mowery, Gorham’s zoning administrator.

“It’ll be a big boon for Gorham,” said Mowery, who is retiring this week.

A 6-foot-wide, 1.6-mile asphalt trail is proposed along the portion of the former Sanford and Eastern Railroad bed from New Portland Road to the Gorham Industrial Park that borders Westbrook. The trail crosses Libby Avenue.

The former rail line ran through Westbrook and Gorham, linking Portland with Rochester, N.H.

“I think it’s a great idea, if we can open up that corridor,” Town Councilor Noah Miner said. “Sandra is spearheading this.”

The idea for a walking/bicycle trail has kicked around for a while, but Mowery stepped up its chance of becoming reality.

The Gorham Town Council last year gave Mowery the green light to apply for a grant. Gorham is seeking a $336,550 grant from the Maine Department of Transportation for the Cross Town Trail. The town would pay 20 percent of costs. Gorham could hear results of the grant within the next two weeks.

Mowery said Gorham could likely receive an initial $18,000 in grant money this year for engineering. But, Mowery, citing the economy, doubts whether Gorham would be awarded the whole grant this year.

Shaw Brothers Construction owns about a half mile of the railroad right of way from New Portland Road to Libby Avenue. Danny Shaw, co-owner of the company, said if Gorham secured the grant, the company would gift the town land for the bicycle path if his proposal for a clustered condominium development on the New Portland Road end of the trail is approved by the town. He said he is early in the planning stage for the project, which could consist of three, four-unit buildings. Shaw said public water and sewer is available there.

The rest of the proposed trail to the industrial park is owned by the town.

Harold McFarland, a Libby Avenue abutter of the trail, favors the plan.

“I have no problem with it,” McFarland said, providing trees would not be cut.

Another property owner on Libby Avenue, Beverly Hosic, also favors the proposal for a paved path. She walks the trail with her dog, Bonnie Lass, and she said the forested area has a variety of wildlife, including deer and wild turkeys.

“People walk their dogs, I’ve even seen a horse on that path,” Hosic said.

Nancy Grant, executive director of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, said Tuesday Maine towns are growing more interested in becoming pedestrian and bicycling friendly and safe.

“I think it’s a great idea, it’ll be a real asset for the town,” Grant said.

Gorham Town Councilor John Pressey said Tuesday he favors improving the quality of life for Gorham. He said a path separated from the roadway would be more family friendly.

Rail paths are gaining in popularity. An already paved path adjacent to the Mountain Division Railroad runs through Gorham and Windham to Standish. In Westbrook, work is under way for a trail along the former Mountain Division line.

The Gorham Town Council is expected to soon consider whether to endorse an additional proposal to continue a bike trail from New Portland Road through the village to Narragansett Street.

Gorham is known for its traffic snarls. With gas prices soaring, the proposed paved trail along the former Sanford and Eastern bed from Gorham Village could be a good alternative for commuters to bike to work. The paved path could be accessed from housing developments on Main Street via several existing trails.

“I’m sure people would use it,” said John Brooking of Westbrook, who serves on the board of directors of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine. And his wife, Mary Brooking said, “It’s got my vote.”

However, rail advocates are calling the proposal to pave bike paths shortsighted and fear future rail use to help solve Gorham transportation woes would be lost forever.

Paul Weiss of the Maine Rail Transit Coalition said rail use could be a solution to Gorham’s traffic problems. Weiss cited plans to reuse the Mountain Division Railroad line through Westbrook, Gorham, Windham and Standish and that the former Sanford and Eastern rail bed could play a vital role.

“It would be incredibly important for a future connector,” Weiss said. “This is a critical choice.”

Tony Donovan, also of the rail coalition, suggested this week that the former rail line be analyzed for possible re-use for rail service. He worried that a paved trail would preclude the rail option.

“They would forever prevent its use for rail,” Donovan said.

Pressey favors the proposal for the paved bicycle path, but advocated convenants allowing for future other uses. Pressey, envisioning a light commuter rail service to Gorham, said the old railroad line would be important to the greater Portland area.

“Keep our options open,” Pressey said.

Beverly Hosic and her 14-year-old dog, Bonnie Lass, enjoy the scenic old railroad bed near her home on Libby Avenue in Gorham on Tuesday. The town is seeking a state grant to pave a 1.6-mile trail for walkers and bicyclists. (Staff photo by Robert Lowell)Gorham hopes a $336,550 grant would pay for a paved trail for walking and biking along this former railroad bed from New Portland Road to the Gorham Industrial Park that borders Westbrook, as seen in this town of Gorham map. “It’ll be a big boon for Gorham,” said Sandra Mowery, the town’s zoning administrator. (Courtesy image)