FAQs

Yes! A November 2021 study found that the Eastern Trail has an economic impact of approximately $44.6M each year, associated with use of the rail trail from South Portland to Kittery.

Similarly, in October 2019, Rails to Trails Conservancy published an expansive study of the many benefits of walking and biking trails like the Casco Bay Trail. This deep dive into national data led to several significant findings. 

• Currently, walking/bike trails contribute $34+B to the national economy annually. As more trails are connected, return on investment could even exceed $138B per year.   
• Choosing walking or biking instead of driving currently saves more than $3B a year in fuel costs, with potential to climb to almost $22B per year. 
• Nationwide, economic spending impact from our 2,000+ rail trails is $10.6B, with potential to hit $21B per year. 
• Walking and biking trails save the country $20B  a year in health costs — with potential to hit $92B a year.

• Interim trail. This describes a corridor where train tracks have been removed and replaced with a paved or gravel path, with the understanding that rail can be restored in the future if deemed viable.

• Berlin Subdivision: The dormant, state-owned Portland to Auburn rail corridor that forms the backbone of the proposed Casco Bay Trail.

• Rail with trail. A trail built alongside train tracks; designed to coexist. 

Creating and building a long-distance public trail is a significant endeavor that involves entire communities and government entities. It helps to think of the process in terms of seven basic steps, outlined by our friends at The Eastern Trail:

1. Identify the route. 
2. Secure public access along the entire route. 
3. Secure permissions to use trail as such. 
4. Complete design and engineering work. 
5. Secure funds. 
6. Construct the trail. 
7. Cut the ribbon and welcome the public!  

Keep in mind that different portions of a trail can progress on different timelines. One section, for example, could be at stage 3, while another is at stage 1.

See the first question above (“What’s the latest…”) to see how progress on the Casco Bay Trail is advancing.

The State of Maine has created a process for studying potential non-rail uses of state-owned rail corridors. The first step is to establish a rail use advisory council (RUAC), which reviews and makes recommendations about the benefits and costs of potential uses of the rail corridor. We completed this step for the Portland-to-Auburn section of the trail in January 2023, with 12 members voting for a trail use (either interim trail or rail with trail), and seven voting for an interim trail.

The next step was for the Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation to make a recommendation based on the advisory council’s report, and for the legislature to approve use of the corridor as a trail. This was achieved in early 2025.  

There is also an ongoing advisory council process for the Lewiston Lower Road, another section of Casco Bay Trail. 

According to the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) Local Share Policy, active transportation projects that are sponsored by MDOT and included in MDOT’s work plan are funded at 80 percent with federal funds and 10 percent with state funds, with a 10 percent local cost-share. Trail maintenance costs are typically $1,000 to $3,000 per mile, per year.

Private fundraising can also help support the costs of construction and maintenance.

This is another decision that communities can make as the trail is constructed. Because many communities don’t allow motorized vehicles on rail trails, e-bikes are sometimes banned. Some trails — including the nearby Eastern Trail — permit only lower-speed models, such as Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes. 

Many argue that certain e-bikes — particularly the type that requires pedaling to engage the motor — are a great way to get people who wouldn’t or couldn’t otherwise bike to do so. 

A solution we like is to set a trail speed limit of 15 mph. This keeps trail users safe and expands access to more riders, without requiring potentially complicated and costly licensing.

This will be decided by local communities after the trail is constructed. Options during winter include plowing portions of the trail or grooming the trail for cross-country skiing. For example, this past winter, Scarborough piloted a program to test occasional grooming on a portion of the Eastern Trail. Maintenance decisions will ultimately be made by municipalities and other entities responsible for trail maintainance. All options are on the table!

The surface of the trail will be determined by the Maine Department of Transportation, following feasibility, engineering studies, and discussion with local communities. It may make sense for some sections to be paved — particularly higher traffic areas closer to Portland and Auburn — with a gravel surface on lower-density areas. This is common on many rail trails, including the Eastern Trail.

One of the most important steps you can take is to contact your town/city council members and your town/city planner, stating your support for Casco Bay Trail. You can also make a donation to support the work we do to make the trail a reality.

And please, spread the word about the trail to friends and family, and encourage them to sign up for our newsletter.