Environment Spotlight

The Casco Bay Trail vision gains momentum

|Pamela Fisher|

The Casco Bay Trail Alliance has been working towards the creation of a 72-mile off-road trail loop connecting Portland, Lewiston-Auburn, Brunswick, Freeport, and the communities in between (see attached map for highlights of this exciting vision). A focus of this loop has been conversion of the state-owned, inactive rail line between Portland and Danville Junction known as the Berlin Subdivision. Freight service on the Berlin Subdivision ended in 2015 due to lack of economic viability, and it has seen no rail activity since. 

The backstory 
In 2022, the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) commissioned a Rail Use Advisory Council (RUAC) to examine possibilities for the Berlin Subdivision rail corridor. This council included representatives from each town along the corridor as voting members, and solicited public input through written testimony and public hearing. In January 2023, the council submitted its report to the Maine DOT Commissioner, with the majority of voting members supporting interim conversion of the rail corridor into a paved or gravel bicycle and pedestrian trail.   

Converting the inactive rail line to recreational use does not rule out future passenger rail service to the Lewiston/Auburn area. (This is why the technically correct term “interim trail” is often used when describing a rail to trail conversion.) However, Maine DOT feasibility studies conducted in 2018, 2019, and 2023 found passenger rail service on this corridor to be neither feasible nor eligible for federal funding. Future passenger rail efforts may focus on alternative corridors, such as the parallel CSX line, which better aligns with existing infrastructure and active rail networks.

Recently, the communities of Auburn, Brunswick, Falmouth, Yarmouth, North Yarmouth, Pownal, and Freeport all passed resolutions supporting the trail concept. The New Gloucester Parks and Recreation and Environmental Resources Committees are also evaluating a resolution of support.  

Legislature to act this session
The Casco Bay Trail is now poised to be addressed by the 132nd State legislature with two upcoming bills supporting the RUAC’s recommendation. One bill, LD30, submitted by Senate President Mattie Daughtry, authorizes the 10-mile section of the proposed rail trail between Portland and Yarmouth. A second bill, now in draft form, is being submitted by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Jill Duson. This bill authorizes interim trail conversion of the entire 26-mile corridor between Portland and Auburn.

Passage of this legislation would not authorize funding, nor do the resolutions of support approved by neighboring communities. Authorization of the corridor for non-rail use and interim trail conversion must happen before any design details and cost questions are addressed. Additional legislation must occur in sequence in order to move the project to fruition.  

As with all rail-to-trail conversions, completion of the project will depend on securing appropriate funding, which will likely occur over several years and come from a variety of sources. Since the Berlin Subdivision is state-owned property, securing funding for design and development will fall to MDOT. Communities along the trail will eventually be asked to support maintenance activities after the trail is built. For this, there are as many options as there are creative ideas. Many trail communities form volunteer groups, create “Friends of” charitable organizations and apply for grants to supplement line items allocated to trails in local budgets. The funding question is always important, but it cannot be answered without first authorizing the trail concept.  

What could the Casco Bay Trail mean for New Gloucester residents? 
Imagine a place to take your daily run or go for a walk surrounded by nature and protected from traffic. Think about a space where families can bring their children to ride their bikes without worry about speeding vehicles.  Maybe the idea of reducing your carbon footprint by commuting to work or errands without getting in a car is appealing.  Nearly seven miles of the proposed trail will be located in New Gloucester, much of it traversing the Intervale region between Pineland and the Lower Village. This will provide easy access for winter recreation such as cross-country skiing or fat bike riding and connectivity to longer distance recreation opportunities.

Research highlights the significant economic, environmental, and health benefits multi-use trails provide to towns. Maine’s Eastern Trail, which runs between South Portland and Kittery along the old Eastern Railroad corridor, generates an annual economic impact of $44 million. An economic analysis included in the advisory council’s report estimates that trail users could contribute $3.5 million to $5.3 million annually in consumer spending, depending on activity levels. Additionally, the trail would promote active lifestyles, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving community well-being. Finally, the trail would provide a safe and enjoyable transportation option, with links to public transportation. METRO and BREEZ buses along the route have bike racks to allow passengers to combine bus and bike travel for maximum flexibility. Getting people out of their cars would also help achieve Maine’s climate action plan.

Add your voice
If a multi-use trail like this sounds important to you, please let your local and legislative leaders know. Send an email or make a phone call to the Select Board Members and Town Manager. Contact your state lawmakers, Amy Arata and Bruce Bickford.  

You can also sign up here to join the Casco Bay Trail Alliance email list or go to https://cascobaytrail.org/ to learn more about the trail and receive updates on progress. The bigger the CBTA mailing list, the stronger it’s collective voice will be when it’s time to act.

Pamela Fischer, New Gloucester Resident and CBTA Volunteer