Author: M4ST

A report in the Maine Monitor looks at the MTA’s claim that its proposed turnpike expansion would actually be good for the climate. Check out their story here. They show how increased driving, construction impacts, and increasing use of low-emission vehicles are big factors in assessing climate impacts. These claims are made by road builders…

In a press release, later picked up by the Press Herald, the Maine Turnpike Authority announced it was extending the timeline for public input and permit applications for the project. When it announced the project was ready in February, the MTA said it intended to hold public input sessions in the Spring and submit the…

An inquiry by the Portland Press Herald revealed that the Maine Turnpike Authority hired a third party to determine Smiling Hill Farm’s eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places, and shared none of that information with the farm’s owners. Here’s Warren Knight, one of the co-owners of the farm: “As a state agency, the…

Scarborough resident and M4ST volunteer Tilman Reitzle criticized the MTA’s proposed Gorham “Connector” in the Portland Press Herald yesterday. He makes the common sense arguments for considering alternative solutions to cut down on the need to drive through the area, by investing in making biking, walking, and public transportation safe and accessible. If you want…

Abby King of Gorham and Warren Knight of Smiling Hill Farm were featured on the NewsCenter Maine report on the Connector. Both noted that saving 4 minutes on some commute times is not worth turning great places like Smiling Hill Farm into the next suburban sprawl development. Watch the full report here. Stanis Moody Roberts…

MTA Executive Director Peter Mills announced at the organization’s last board meeting that he will not seek renewal of his contract when it expires this fall. Mr. Mills is a Navy veteran, and was a respected state senator before being appointed to the position in 2011. We thank him for his service to our state…

To support its claim that expanding its highway to Gorham will save drivers time, the Turnpike Authority commissioned a study to look at the growth patterns that would result if it were to relieve traffic in the area. The study concludes that the highway would have almost no impact on growth patterns and sprawl, because…

In an op-ed in today’s Portland Press Herald, CEO of GrowSmart Maine Nancy Smith and Board Chair Jeff Levine argue that we have better solutions to our transportation challenges than highway expansion. GrowSmart is a founding member of the Mainers for Smarter Transportation coalition. Just because another length of road seemed a good idea in…

Our regional governance and transportation bodies approved – just three months ago – a plan to move forward with a bus rapid transit solution to increase mobility and connectivity from Gorham to Portland. Could it help alleviate congestion? Yes! Is it viable with a highway also serving the route? Maybe not, and it seems no…

This letter to the editor of several local papers – the American Sentinel, Scarborough Leader, and South Portland Sentinel, was penned by Carrie Marsh Dixon, an urban planner and a member of the extended Smiling Hill Farm family. Carrie talks about the long legacy of stewarding the fields and lands of Smiling Hill Farm, and…