In 1957, Freeport was sliced in half by construction of Interstate 295, eliminating multiple road connections and all safe means for pedestrians and cyclists to cross this new divide. What became progress for those just passing through became a loss of community for Freeport residents.

Now, with support of residents, this can change dramatically on March 9. The two major bridges in Freeport that cross I-295 – those at Exit 20 (Desert Road) and Exit 22 (Mallett Drive) – will, this spring, enter the final design phase for replacement. With strong support from Freeport’s Town Council and unanimous recommendations from the town’s Active Living and Complete Street committees, Freeport is recommending that each bridge include a 12-foot multi-purpose path that will simultaneously and safely accommodate cyclists
passing in opposite directions, as well as a dedicated pedestrian walkway.

Each replaced bridge is expected to have a lifespan of at least 75 years, vastly raising the stakes to adequately upgrade now for the benefit of multiple generations to come. There will be shared costs, which is the reason for the bond vote in March. Achieving safe passage for
pedestrians and cyclists will require the town to contribute $634,000 to the $19 million dollar two-bridge project.

Freeport’s investment in multi-modal accommodation across the I-295 bridges is much more than just a transportation infrastructure issue. It’s a reunification project to restore the sense of community once enjoyed by residents. These two bridges, with the proposed pedestrian and
cyclist upgrades, become the hinges that reconnect the community and the linchpins for a bold and comprehensive plan to connect all Freeport destinations through a network of off-road trails completed during the lifespan of the replaced bridges.

Connect Freeport, an unfolding initiative, will begin with a hub loop that utilizes both bridges to create an off-road trail for students, families, commuters and recreation enthusiasts that connects the middle school, high school, village center, L.L.Bean headquarters, L.L.Bean
Fulfillment Center, Maine Coast Waldorf School, Hunter Field Athletic Complex, Hedgehog Mountain trails, Pownal Road fields and Pine Tree Academy. Additional spurs will eventually reach to Wolfe Neck State Park, Winslow Park, Desert of Maine, Bradbury Mountain and other destinations.

The initial hub loop also includes several miles of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway (ECG), which runs from Calais, Maine, to Key West, Florida, and currently has over 1,000 miles off-road. The ECG has already proven an economic boon to towns up and down the East Coast.
Connecting residents within Freeport and connecting Freeport to the growing trail networks across Maine all begins with – and is dependent upon – pedestrian and cyclist upgrades to the Desert Road and Mallett Drive bridges.

The bond being considered on March 9 is a 75-year investment to regain a sense of community while expanding economic opportunity at a
cost that’s less than purchasing a single firetruck. The time is now. There’s no opportunity for a do-over.

I encourage Freeport residents to vote “yes” for the bond … vote “yes” for a reconnected community. More detailed information on the bridge projects can be found at connectfreeport.com.

Doug Leland is vice chairperson of the Freeport Complete Street Committee.