The Maine Turnpike Authority took no action July 29 following a workshop about whether to finance Phase 2 of the Gorham East-West Corridor Study.
The study, undertaken in 2009 at the behest of Gorham, Scarborough, South Portland and Westbrook, is aimed at reducing traffic congestion through the region and improving safety. Transportation and local officials had hoped to start Phase 2 this fall to further evaluate study findings. A next study phase could lead to a 5-mile, $120 million turnpike spur to Gorham.
The corridor through the four municipalities is one of the worst in the state for traffic, transportation officials have said. The overlap of routes 22 and 114 through South Gorham has 22,000 cars a day.
Several municipal officials Friday appealed to the turnpike board to continue the study. Gorham Town Manager David Cole said the Bernard P. Rines Bypass, a southerly route around Gorham Village, that opened in 2008, is working successfully.
“It did not solve congestion along the entire corridor,” Cole told turnpike board of directors. “I urge you to fund that (the study Phase 2).”
The Maine Turnpike Authority and Maine Department of Transportation paid for Phase 1. But the turnpike funded 80 percent of the $1 million costs of the initial phase of the study.
A possible upgrading of existing highways, increased public bus and rail use along with municipal zoning changes to allow higher density developments are included in the mix of study recommendations.
Matthew Robinson, chairman of the Gorham Town Council, along with four other Gorham councilors, attended last week’s turnpike board meeting.
“We hope you support Phase 2 of the project,” Robinson said.
Officials of neighboring communities also spoke. James Gailey, South Portland city manager, said there’s significant growth west of the turnpike, inland villages are “clogged” and he urged turnpike support of the study with a second phase.
“I’d hate to have this fall off the table,” Gailey said.
And Tom Hall, Scarborough town manger, voiced Scarborough’s “strong support.”
The turnpike authority is facing mounting financial commitments with turnpike widening to pay for in addition to involvement in bridgework over the Piscataqua River between Kittery and Portsmouth, N.H.
Its board is mulling a decision to support continuation of the study.
“We need to make a business case for involvement of the turnpike,” Daniel Wathen, chairman of the turnpike board of directors, said.
The Maine Turnpike Authority board of directors is scheduled to meet on Thursday, Aug. 18, but it’s unknown now whether the traffic study issue will be on its agenda.
Gorham Town Councilor Matt Mattingly, left, and Peter Mills,
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