Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Trail Opening topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Scarborough, South Portland open 1.6-mile Eastern Trail segment, closing key gap
Summary
Scarborough and South Portland celebrated the opening of a 1.6-mile section of the Eastern Trail that town officials say unlocks roughly 17 miles of separated biking and walking infrastructure; partners and donors were acknowledged at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Tom Hall, Scarborough town manager, opened the ceremony and framed the project as the product of years of local effort and partnerships. He said he has been involved in the project for nearly two decades and credited contractors, engineers and private landowners for advancing the trail. "So as we stand here, we are 15 months ahead of schedule," Hall said.
Mayor Elise Tifton of South Portland thanked local and federal partners and described the trail as "more than just opening a section of trail" — calling parks and trails essential public infrastructure that improves health, supports businesses and connects communities. Dakota Hewitt, an active transportation planner with the Maine Department of Transportation, said the completed segment is 1.6 miles and that it "unlocks approximately 17 miles of safe biking and walking infrastructure" separated from vehicular traffic from Bug Light to Saco. The event concluded with a ribbon cutting and an invitation for a community walk and ride; Hall announced, "The trail is open for use."
