[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6429273,"mediaKeyId","5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665","parentId",5907784,"title","Turnpike Authority to begin Forest Avenue bridge repairs; two lanes to remain open during day, night work will reduce lanes","audioSeconds",176,"startMs",2198000,"endMs",2374000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665&start=2198&end=2374","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665/thumbnail_2198000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6429273/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Turnpike-Authority-to-begin-Forest-Avenue-bridge-repairs-two-lanes-to-remain-open-during-day-night-work-will-reduce-lanes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429273-cb6d7509839538d72d2321b3d59f4ed2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420119&Signature=b-ZocP3X2xfJuwIOAnz-H5LpZMjttL7LrXHkWDgN2pP17clMMzR5CTPfdgtQUpGrJRdi6Q9RE~6NytRhlqZgrx8R0K38ymDvXpURVLvH073yDp0qomaNNM~ydcixaUTAmfuwoUFATwgDzY22C3lUefOwKh372XbAg1s-euKjWsLYne~7P0766cOuJ5ZX523HgMM2xRwgD6ic318xdW147ywt7uJ51riJ6fPLeed7MWrRAj3cGsqkiQiO4YjobcAY6WqZlWX9iNSXIw3R0X88Fo1C18HstA70nPigLiHbjb6Ema8O5raqJ3genKKEJMoF26vbsWRcFbeIBH6w2lTl5Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Portland, ME","date","2025-10-06T00:00:00Z","article","The Maine Turnpike Authority presented a plan to Portland City Council members for unscheduled repairs to the Forest Avenue bridges and said the work will begin this week and run through November, with some cleanup afterward.

Andre Brere, Executive Director of the Turnpike Authority, said his office moved quickly after maintenance staff identified potholes and surface deterioration; an engineering firm performed an inspection and the authority made temporary repairs in mid‑August before approving a contract for permanent repairs. Brere said two lanes will remain open during daytime commuting hours and that night work will at times reduce traffic to a single lane with flaggers in place. He also said pedestrian and ADA access would be maintained throughout the project.

Community engagement: Brere described an outreach campaign that included a public meeting at the Gerald Talbot Community School and distribution of more than 400 notices. He said the authority established a project website and phone line and met with city staff on September 18 to solicit feedback.

Noise and long‑term plans: Brere told councilors the authority will use the repair project to perform a thorough sound study in the Castine Avenue neighborhood and surrounding areas to determine whether affected communities qualify for noise mitigation. He told the council the Forest Avenue bridge is included in the authority’s four‑year plan for total replacement and that the current work is intended to extend service life for roughly two years until full reconstruction.

Why it matters: The unscheduled repairs could affect traffic patterns at night and create neighborhood noise concerns; the authority’s outreach and the promised sound study aim to identify mitigation needs ahead of longer-term replacement work.

Next steps: The Turnpike Authority will begin the permanent repair work and continue to inform residents through the project website and direct communications. The authority and city staff will continue coordination on traffic and mitigation measures as the project proceeds.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting - October 06, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Maine Turnpike Authority notified the council of unscheduled repairs on the Forest Avenue bridges, saying daytime traffic will be maintained with two lanes open, night work will require single-lane operations at times, and the authority will conduct a neighborhood sound study and continue community outreach.","taxTitle","Portland, Cumberland County, Maine","taxId",2582,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429276,"Votes at a glance: Portland council approves appointments, licenses, grants and contracts unanimously",57,823000,880000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665&start=823&end=880","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665/thumbnail_823000.jpg","/articles/6429276/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Votes-at-a-glance-Portland-council-approves-appointments-licenses-grants-and-contracts-unanimously","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429276-fda6c6506c5c6586ebcb4ec251f01a0a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770412225&Signature=IxD2PdEp-mvyuFS4OOCXF6Iw~Z-NoVTAZ5xfF8pJmpTvJvtG3VAaABjVepZLB1fzwuh0~X3D6l~lk2lKno5nPRbOK-1-5zXRnTmygtk65UFce0~EMc1Fui-W~L9msWMwflq~tZoeG3FJ2sa~4zE8V~SgXg22XgjdHcGkvxtdlF06l8bcKF-ObIxdv0T5ZVEKCVLcVOqbGGvv3btgMEyJo5liD13TCGMbcL~NvXOu-jRFnlrHxyQBu3qIHQMqbUAHYMOaF7h8W~-vcSfyQoOEmc5O490jPNHTga6lvCUuaUzm8RNSaIg8JTYzDngV3o1hPVQm~dE80bH2pUv1zYzFtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland City Council on a largely unanimous series of votes approved board appointments, business licenses, appropriations, and a collective bargaining agreement during the meeting.

Key outcomes at a glance

- Appointments: Order 52 appointed Matthew Moretti and Robert Unland as Class C directors of the Portland Fish Pier Authority (moved by Councilor Grant, second by Councilor McNevich; passed unanimously). Order 53 appointed Mike Bove, Elise Grams and Matthew Swatch to the Board of the Creative Portland Corporation (moved by Councilor Pelletier; passed unanimously). Order 50425 appointed Sam Dargan to the Portland Development Corporation (moved and seconded; passed unanimously). Order 55 approved multiple board and committee appointments recommended by the Legislative and Nominating Committee (passed unanimously).

- Licenses and administrative approvals: Order 57 approved a combined entertainment license for a separate club cocktail lounge at 441 Congress Street and Order 58 approved a Class II restaurant lounge at 49 North Pointe Drive; both passed on the consent calendar. Order 56 appointed constables for the Parking Division to issue parking citations (passed unanimously).

- Appropriations and grants: Order 48B2526 accepted and appropriated $118,184 in Health and Wellness grant funding for the Portland Police and Fire Departments (passed unanimously). Order 50 accepted a $22,500 donation from the estate of Louis Adams to the Fire Department; Order 51 accepted and appropriated a $400 donation for station supplies (both passed unanimously).

- Labor contract: Order 49 approved a collective bargaining agreement between the City of Portland and Labor and Trades, AFL-CIO, Local 48100; councilors described the contract as within guidance and praised HR staff for negotiations; the motion passed unanimously.

- Public art and housing items: Order 59 accepted the Portland Public Art Committee fiscal year 2025 annual report and fiscal year 2026 budget plan (committee recommended priorities including conservation and new commissions). Order 60 approved an amendment to condominium covenants at Doherty Commons Unit 2 to allow mortgage product compatibility with MaineHousing and secondary market rules (passed unanimously).

What it means: The meeting’s consent calendar and related nominations moved quickly and with broad support. Several routine municipal functions—board appointments, license approvals, donation acceptances and a union contract—were completed with little substantive debate. A few items, such as the public art committee’s budget plan and the Doherty Commons amendment, included brief staff presentations and council appreciation for committee work.

Actionable follow-ups: Where applicable, staff were directed to continue outreach (for example, public art staff provided site lists and carryover fund allocations), and contracts and appropriations were forwarded to administrative implementation by the City Manager and relevant departments.

Ending: The council concluded its consent and business calendar with unanimous votes on the listed orders; most passed without roll-call dissent.","The council approved a slate of appointments to municipal boards, licenses for two businesses, several appropriations and a collective bargaining agreement; most items passed on unanimous voice or roll-call votes with little debate.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6429280,"Portland accepts $400,303 MaineHousing grant for winter warming shelter; residents and advocates warn of access limits",2304,3611000,5915000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665&start=3611&end=5915","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5907784-9a604bfe351bbe62a03061f847889665/thumbnail_3611000.jpg","/articles/6429280/Portland/Cumberland-County/Maine/Portland-accepts-400303-MaineHousing-grant-for-winter-warming-shelter-residents-and-advocates-warn-of-access-limits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6429280-a0f7c2dcb309d6627442bb1f2290c6fb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770420119&Signature=Wdb0f94YQUsMFaZdGXX13eQ2ZZhojdqgeU7AENAY2Oyh6dcDeVMtDcIsDMW5MnIYEnPaR-tVV5nDRmPmFbv1n31yNouRmwj0SuAbOKvseyWOcU5N1qGl3EL7VoJPbRggWmnpwsT-jYo5hBmUxPMxDVyq2wnysWBKO2eyO-FE9WrYBX9rBOYPJWX88ACzNjWEU3EoSywwka0PZxB1SCmUnu6qv8YmpnXjp70I8WOq-MEwubROcu~GfNzmDRX4RgUPr4cbYECTNh27fweMIPiYNjXyXq8359ZhcRfHSz0Z2xdEnGs-94GYd9FkarfQ8Q0MR6IQ24pyPQJkf8auQ0L5NA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Portland City Council on a unanimous vote accepted and appropriated $400,303 in Maine State Housing Authority funding to operate a winter warming emergency shelter, staff said the award must be enacted swiftly to meet a November 15 deadline.

The grant and operating plan were presented by Daniel West, City Manager, and Maggie McLaughlin, Director of Health and Human Services. McLaughlin said the shelter will be located at 166 Riverside, will operate during contracted winter-warming nights from about 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., and will include showers, bathrooms, food and connections to coordinated entry. She said the city expects to operate the shelter for roughly 50 nights this season and budgeted staff time to link guests to longer-term housing options.

Why it matters: The council's acceptance makes short-term shelter capacity available for people experiencing homelessness this winter, but residents, service providers and advocates said the chosen site, activation thresholds and transit access risk leaving vulnerable people without timely shelter.

Councilors and staff emphasized tight timelines and limited available facilities on the Peninsula. West told council the emergency waiver of the second reading was requested because of the grant timetable. McLaughlin said the city had sought a Peninsula location but did not identify an operator and a site that met operational requirements in time, and selected 166 Riverside because its layout allows a physical separation between the warming-shelter population and other occupants.

Public comment at the meeting was extensive. Susanna Richard, a member of the public who identified herself as an advocate, said, “opening an emergency warming shelter that only opens when the temperature goes below 15 degrees or there's more than 10 inches of snow does very little to keep people safe and alive.” Jim Devine, an advocate with Homeless Voice for Justice, urged that available services be made more accessible and not limited by distance.

Service providers said logistical details will determine how effective the site is. Anika Moore, advocacy team leader at Preble Street, told the council the off‑Peninsula location “will present a significant barrier for many individuals,” and urged late-night wheelchair‑accessible shuttle service and on‑Peninsula storage for guests’ belongings. City staff said a shuttle will run between the Peninsula and 166 Riverside and that ADA accessible transportation would be arranged; staff also said taxi vouchers would be available when people declined or were unable to remain in the shelter overnight.

Councilors debated broader responsibilities and regional coordination. Councilor Bullock and others noted that municipal resources are limited and encouraged outreach to regional partners and nonprofits that own potential buildings. Councilor Pelletier and others said the budget and staffing constraints largely determine the shelter's activation threshold: staff said hypothermia can begin well above freezing, but the city had budgeted for a set number of nights tied to available funding and staff capacity.

Decision and next steps: The council adopted the appropriation and declared it an emergency to meet the grant timetable. Staff committed to refine operational details, expand shuttle and accessibility plans where feasible, and to continue outreach to nonprofit and regional partners for longer-term solutions.

Votes at the meeting: The motion to waive the second reading was moved by Councilor Ali and seconded by Councilor Grant; the motion to approve the appropriation was moved by Councilor Bullock and seconded by Councilor Ali. The roll call vote on final passage was recorded as unanimous.

Community details and clarifications: The approved appropriation amount is $400,303 from the Maine State Housing Authority; the proposed shelter location is 166 Riverside; planned nightly hours are roughly 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.; staff said the shelter is intended to provide respite for up to about 60 people on nights it is activated and that the city budgeted for roughly 50 operational nights, though the exact number of activations will depend on weather and resource availability. Staff described coordinated entry and connection to longer-term shelter and housing services as part of the operation.

Ending: The council’s vote secures state funding for winter shelter operations this season while highlighting ongoing questions about site selection, transportation and the need for year‑round, Peninsula‑based day‑space solutions. Staff said they will return with additional operational details and ongoing outreach plans.","The City Council voted unanimously to accept $400,303 from the Maine State Housing Authority to operate a seasonal winter warming shelter at 166 Riverside, with staff and advocates raising concerns about the site’s distance from downtown, activation thresholds and transportation for guests.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Turnpike Authority to begin Forest Avenue bridge repairs; two lanes to remain open during day, night work will reduce lanes

Votes at a glance: Portland council approves appointments, licenses, grants and contracts unanimously

Portland accepts $400,303 MaineHousing grant for winter warming shelter; residents and advocates warn of access limits