A 12’ wide separated bicycle/pedestrian pathway on the downstream side of the proposed new bridge will provide the most safe and efficient connection over the Fore River between Portland and South Portland.
Please see Maps and Plans for designs.
Fore River Parkway Trail / Congress Street Transportation Center
The downstream bicycle/pedestrian bridge pathway will connect to the existing Fore River Parkway Trail system via a marked crosswalk and a signalized intersection. Pathway users coming from either South Portland or the Portland peninsula will have a dedicated pedestrian phase to cross bridge traffic and access the existing sidewalk on the northerly side of the Fore River Parkway to access the remainder of the Fore River Parkway Trail system heading west. There will be a landscaped gateway area at the new intersection.
Existing Veterans Intersection Area Sidewalk System & Future West Commercial Street to Old Port Trail/Sidewalk
The bicycle/pedestrian bridge pathway will connect to the existing sidewalk system and the future West Commercial Street Shared Use Path via a marked crosswalk signalized intersection. Pathway users coming from South Portland will have a dedicated pedestrian phase to cross West Commercial Street traffic and access the existing sidewalk on the easterly side of Valley Street and then on to access the proposed Commercial Street Shared Use Path heading east. Fore River Parkway Trail users will continue along the sidewalk on the north side of the Fore River Parkway and use the existing Valley Street crosswalk. The Valley Street crossing has been improved under our proposed design by reducing the crossing distance as a result of eliminating one travel lane. There will be a landscaped gateway area on the south side of the revised Veterans Intersection.
Main Street/Cash Corner Area Connection in South Portland
The connection of the bicycle/pedestrian bridge to the future Main Street Connector pathway will be a continuation along the easterly side of the Veterans Memorial Bridge to a future crosswalk located in an open area with good visibility. The City of South Portland is reviewing options to complete the connection of the Veterans Memorial Bridge to the remainder of the Main Street Connector Trail.
Proposed Long Creek Trail Crossing/Maine Mall Trail in South Portland
The City of South Portland is also assessing the feasibility of an extension of the bridge pathway to the Maine Mall area.