Maine Department of Transportation—Gardiner Downtown Bridges and Trail

Maine DOT improved active transportation infrastructure and safety in a town where many residents rely on getting around on two wheels or on foot.

The City of Gardiner, Maine, had disjointed, aging pedestrian corridors; bridges in need of replacement; outdated or absent safety features; a lack of ADA-compliant pathways; and a shortage of multimodal corridors.

Maine DOT’s $12.5 million project included numerous small sidewalk, crosswalk, and intersection improvements that greatly increase the connectivity and pedestrian accessibility of the busy and active downtown community. Community trails were connected, making a fully-paved multimodal path for users. Vehicles now use two new bridges, leading to new intersections with improved safety features. In a community where many don’t have access to reliable personal vehicles, this project increased equity within the community and increased safety for all.