It is a community project that has been in the “conceptual phase” for nearly two decades, but now the conversation about a new ‘multimodal’ bridge connecting the cities of Biddeford and Saco is once again bubbling to the surface.
On Tuesday, the Biddeford City Council will hear a proposal about the multimodal bridge that would connect Saco Island to the planned Pearl Point Park in Biddeford.
Representatives from the city of Saco and the Maine Department of Transportation will update the council about the project, a plan that will likely cost millions of dollars and require federal funding to complete.
“It is an exciting concept,” said Biddeford City Council President Liam LaFountain. “But obviously, this is something that the two cities cannot take on alone. We would new federal and state funding.”
Although there is already a pedestrian bridge connecting the two cities closer to the Saco River falls, the new bridge is designed to be more user friendly
Creating a link between Saco and Biddeford is a long-term goal that has been identified in Saco’s comprehensive plans since 2011.
The new bridge is designed to improve walkability; promote equitable access to public transit and help alleviate traffic congestion by creating a shift away from personal vehicle use.
Proponents of the project also say the new bridge will encourage further economic development near the downtown core shared by both cities.
“It really is a very interesting project,” said Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail. “We’ve been talking about this for a long time. It’s nice to see some forward momentum.”
MacPhail said the project has been an ongoing topic of conversation between the two cities during past joint workshop meetings.
She said conversation about the bridge “sort of fizzled” because former Biddeford City Manager James Bennett did not view the project as a priority.
Joint meetings between the two communities slowed for a period of time until both MacPhail and Biddeford’s Marty Grohman were elected as their respective city’s mayor in 2023.
“We’ve been talking about this
–Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail
for a long time. It’s nice
to see some forward momentum.”
Today, both Grohman and MacPhail say the cities have an “excellent working relationship.”
The project is expected to cost roughly $5.5 million to construct. If the two cities decide to move forward and apply for federal funding, the project could start construction as soon as 2028.
“I think we can get back on track, and continue looking at things we can do together,” MacPhail said. “When you step back and look at it, we really are joined at the hip and one community.”
Disclosure: Saco Mayor Jodi MacPhail is the step-sister of Biddeford Gazette editor Randy Seaver.
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Randy Seaver is the editor and founder of the Biddeford Gazette. He may be contacted by email: randy@randyseaver.com
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THE BIDDEFORD GAZETTE 
Total waste of money. Would this bridge have helped during our recent Elm St. Bridge closure? If we are going to spend millions on a new bridge, it should be spent on a bridge that follows the discontinued rail line where Lincoln, Market, Hill and Maple converge in Saco then follow then cross to Biddeford near the Technology Center.
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