Overview of RAISE Grant Downtown Reconstruction

At the September 6, 2022 City Council meeting, Public Works Director Matt Hill made a presentation on the projects that will be constructed through the $25 million RAISE Grant that Sanford was recently awarded by the US Department of Transportation, with additional funding coming from MaineDOT and the City of Sanford. RAISE stands for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity. He said his office has been receiving requests for funding of additional projects, but explained that the money is specifically earmarked for the work that was detailed on the grant application.

Scope of Work: The RAISE Grant will be used for complete reconstruction of the following streets:

• Route 109/Main St. from Route 202/Lebanon St. to Emery St.
• Washington St. including the intersection of High and River Sts.
• School St. from Washington to Elm St.
• Route 202/Cottage St. from River/Winter to the Urban Compact line
• William Oscar Emery Dr. and Riverside Ave., which will become the west side of the Mousam Promenade
• A Park and Ride on Emerson St. behind Cumberland Farms will also be constructed

Full roadway reconstruction includes base gravel, pavement, utilities, widened sidewalks, amenities for seating and plantings, and lighting.

Mousam Promenade: This will be a continuous 10 foot wide multi-modal (pedestrian/bike) path around Number One Pond. This will be part of the Sanford Trails Downtown Connector. A parking study has been completed to make sure there is enough parking for activities through most of the year, although there may still be a shortage of spaces for summer activities. The project includes roadside park amenities at the Pond. The RAISE Grant will reconstruct the entirety of William Oscar Emery Dr. and Riverside Ave. The east side of the project (River St.) is a separate project being funded by MaineDOT and the City, and that section will be completed first. MaineDOT is also planning to replace the traffic lights at River/Winter/Cottage.

Timeline: The planning and engineering for the projects began with an initial team meeting in June of 2021. This work will continue over the next three years and will include an extensive process for public engagement. This will include both online and in-person opportunities. Recording of these meetings will be available for later viewing. MaineDOT will host a public information website that will be updated through the project and allow continuous access for the public. The Growth Council expects to do public engagement on the projects as well. Construction on the RAISE Grant projects is scheduled to begin in February 2026 and be completed in October 2030. Although that may seem like a long ways off, Mr. Hill said it is a “relatively aggressive schedule considering the size of the project.”

The east side of the Mousam Promenade will be constructed in 2023, possibly into 2024.

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