DoomsdaysCW<p>Coalition proposes alternatives to controversial <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GorhamConnector" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GorhamConnector</span></a> project </p><p>Maine Public | By Nicole Ogrysko<br>Published September 6, 2024 </p><p>"A coalition of <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/environmental" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>environmental</span></a>, planning and <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/transportation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>transportation</span></a> groups is advocating for alternatives to the controversial Gorham Connector project.</p><p>"The <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/MaineTurnpikeAuthority" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>MaineTurnpikeAuthority</span></a> has proposed a toll road that would run from Exit 45 in South Portland through Westbrook and and Scarborough to the <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GorhamBypass" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GorhamBypass</span></a> at Route 114. Turnpike authorities have said the 4.8-mile, four-lane highway would significantly reduce traffic congestion [by a whole 10 minutes, according to MTA's own study!!!].</p><p>"But the coalition, known as <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/MainersForSmarterTransportation" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>MainersForSmarterTransportation</span></a> (<a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/M4ST" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>M4ST</span></a>), is out with a report this week that details a long list of recommendations for reducing congestion in the region.</p><p>"'Simply replacing some of the existing traffic lights with <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/roundabouts" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>roundabouts</span></a> would reduce congestion and reduce <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GreenhouseGas" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GreenhouseGas</span></a> emissions,' said <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PaulDrinan" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PaulDrinan</span></a>, active transportation director for the <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BicycleCoalitionOfMaine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>BicycleCoalitionOfMaine</span></a>, which is part of Mainers for Smarter Transportation. 'We could also convert some of the old traffic lights with what they call smart lights.'</p><p>"Other recommendations include improving the shoulders along nearby roads and adding <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/BikeLanes" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>BikeLanes</span></a>. Drinan said the group is also urging the Turnpike Authority to delay the Connector project for at least two years, so that a <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/RapidBusTransit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>RapidBusTransit</span></a> plan developed by the Greater Portland Council of Governments can take shape.</p><p>"The group also believes outdated and flawed traffic data are being used make the case for the project."</p><p>[Plus contracts and kickbacks from <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/PikeIndustries" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>PikeIndustries</span></a> and other vendors]</p><p><a href="https://www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/2024-09-06/coalition-proposes-alternatives-to-controversial-gorham-connector-project" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" translate="no" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://www.</span><span class="ellipsis">mainepublic.org/business-and-e</span><span class="invisible">conomy/2024-09-06/coalition-proposes-alternatives-to-controversial-gorham-connector-project</span></a></p><p><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SaveRedBrook" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SaveRedBrook</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SaveSmilingHillFarm" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SaveSmilingHillFarm</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GorhamConnector" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GorhamConnector</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/GorhamBypass" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>GorhamBypass</span></a> <br><a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Maine" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Maine</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/RapidTransit" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>RapidTransit</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/LightRail" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>LightRail</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SaveTheFarms" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SaveTheFarms</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/SaveTheForest" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>SaveTheForest</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/Wildlife" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Wildlife</span></a> <a href="https://kolektiva.social/tags/LightRail" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>LightRail</span></a></p>