Current Projects

Mountain Division

The Mountain Division is an abandoned rail line between Fryeburg and Portland. MaineDOT currently owns the section between Fryeburg and South Windham with hopes of acquiring the remaining section between South Windham and Portland. A planning study to determine use and development of the Mountain Division was funded by MaineDOT and undertaken by the Greater Portland Council of Governments with assistance from the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission. Potential uses of the trail through the corridor include bicycling, walking, and other uses with the possibility of future rail usage.

Public meetings to gain input into potential use and development have been held since the summer of 1998. A report on Phase I of the Mountain Division Feasibility Study has been available since April, 1999.  A shared use path between Windham and Standish opened in July, 2003.  For more information on this trail, see www.mountaindivisiontrail.org

For more information, to receive a copy of the Feasibility Report, or to get on the mailing list for a periodic newsletter, contact the Mountain Division Alliance

Downeast Trail

The Downeast Trail is a trail corridor that roughly parallels the Calais Branch rail line from Brewer to Calais.  MaineDOT began a feasibility study in July of 1999 to evaluate options for the location of this trail within the corridor. This study, completed in November 2000, includes recommendation of the most feasible option with associated cost estimates.  View the Downeast Trail Feasibility Study or contact bike.info@maine.gov at MaineDOT, (207) 624-3252.

Eastern Trail

The Eastern Trail Alliance is an organization advocating development of a continuous trail from Kittery to South Portland, much of it along the old railbed of the Eastern Railroad. MaineDOT began a feasibility study in October 1999 to evaluate possible trail locations and costs. Public meetings throughout the eleven communities in the trail corridor (Kittery, Eliot, South Berwick, North Berwick, Wells, Kennebunk, Arundel, Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Scarborough, and South Portland) were held in early 2000. Contact the Eastern Trail Alliance or visit the Eastern Trail website if you are interested in supporting or advocating for this effort. View the Eastern Trail Feasibility Study or contact bike.info@maine.gov to receive the executive summary of this report.