What it Is
The Shore Road Path is a proposed 2 mile long (10,200 feet) pathway along Shore Road in Cape Elizabeth. For most of its length, it would be a five foot
wide path separated from the road by a grass strip. It would run from
Fort Williams, by Robinson Woods, to the center of town, and would
provide an important pedestrian connection to the neighborhoods that lie
along its route. The entire path can be built within the public right of
way, and NO PRIVATE PROPERTY WOULD BE TAKEN. In its current design, the path skirts through the eastern edge of Robinson Woods, but discussions
are underway that would keep the path in the public right of way. Download the pdf of the plan here and see the plan. |
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This Project is Now Designed, Permitted, and Almost Totally Funded. $15,000 more will ensure the project gets built. Contribute Now!!
Why It Should be Built
Already Well Along in Planning
The Shore Road Path is already in conceptual design, and is actually further along than other projects that apply to Maine DOT. The project could easily be taken to the next phase of engineering. The plan was created by John Mitchell, using a planning grant from the Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System. Mitchell’s design work was commissioned by a Town Council appointed committee, and so it represents a project that was deemed a priority by the town council.
Fundable
Shore Road Path is a project that is eligible for a variety of funding streams that require either a small local match, or none at all. Click here to see a list of potential funding sources for the project.
It Will Improve Safety
The Shore Road Path will make a tremendous contribution to the safety of walkers and runners along Shore Road. The American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials reports that the creation of sidepaths DOUBLES the safety of pedestrians along a roadway.
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Transportation
A complete transportation system includes pedestrian and bicycle modes of travel. The Shore Road Path would connect major destinations in Cape Elizabeth, including two parks, several neighborhoods, and the town center and school campus.
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Recreation
Shore Road is a scenic public road that is well used by walkers, runners, and bicyclists. The Shore Road Path will create a safe place for pedestrians off of the travel lanes. In doing so, it will also improve bicycling conditions, as cyclists will no longer have to swing into traffic to avoid pedestrians.
It’s Healthy
The United States is in the midst of an obesity epidemic, in large part because we’ve engineered walking and bicycling out of our lives, forcing us to rely on cars for even the shortest trips. Maine is the most obese of the New England states. The Shore Road Path certainly won’t solve the obesity epidemic by itself, but it will make it easier for folks making a lifestyle change in our community to walk safely for fun or fitness along this public road. The project has the support of the local Healthy Maine Partnership.
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It Makes Economic Sense
Building bicycle and pedestrian facilities like the Shore Road Path makes economic sense. To begin with, the Shore Road Path is eligible for grant programs that can pay between 80% and 100% of the project’s costs, meaning that the town can build this path for .20 on the dollar. The current estimate for the building of the path, rounding upwards, is $1.000,000, meaning that the town’s share of this project could be as little as $200,000 if it receives a Maine Department of Transportation Quality Community Program grant. It is a bargain to build.
In addition, a project of this scale will be built by local contractors, and will inject money into the local economy and provide needed work for construction firms.
The project will also provide additional infrastructure for visitors to use while visiting and enjoying Maine. Like it or not, Cape Elizabeth’s beaches and shore are an important tourist draw to the region, and tourism is the biggest industry in the state. We all have a stake in keeping the local economy strong, and creating an attractive and safe place for visitors to walk along our public roads will only help draw more dollars and revenue to our region.
Finally, the National Association of Realtors reports that properties near bike/ped trails tend to sell faster, and at closer to asking price, than properties that are not near such infrastructure. The Shore Road Path will make the properties along it more valuable and saleable. Infact a new metric of real estate value based on
the walkability of a community and the homes is being added to the value criteria by realtors across the country. Check out WalkScore.com to see where Cape Elizabeth ranks.
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