Tri Community Transportation Study

In recent years, transportation policies have undergone a significant shift in their focus. Traditionally, transportation plans have been centered on the automobile, with the goal often being to provide additional capacity during peak hours of operation. This approach has often resulted in major impacts to established urban areas and required significant expenditures in new and/or modified infrastructure.

Current transportation policies in Maine are now based upon the requirements set forth in the Sensible Transportation Policy Act (STPA) and a companion guide published by MaineDOT, Handbook for Local and Inter-Community Transportation Planning in Maine, which encourages land use planning to work hand-in-hand with transportation planning, with the goal of reduced expenditures, more options for other modes of travel, and in general, more sustainable types of growth.

The communities of Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach have worked together with the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS), the Maine Turnpike Authority, Maine Department of Transportation, transit providers, municipal planners and others, along with a Consultant Team to craft a long-term Transportation Plan that satisfies the STPA requirements, as well as Destination Tomorrow, the long-term required of PACTS.

The study and related appendices may be downloaded from the archives.