Site Record
Metadata
Site# |
152 |
Site Name |
Maine Turnpike |
Description |
The first section of the Maine Turnpike opened on December 13, 1947. Consisting of just the highway from Kittery to Portland, the Turnpike provided a much faster alternative to the more scenic Route 1, and delivered motorists to Route 1 in South Portland (via the Exit 7 spur). This led to an increase in the number of gas stations, motels, and family-friendly restaurants along Main Street in South Portland. In 1955, the Portland to Augusta section of the Maine Turnpike opened. When Interstate 295 opened in the early 1970s, the new highway allowed motorists to bypass South Portland entirely, which led to a decline of business activity on Main Street. In November, 1971, the section of 295 from the Exit 7 spur to Veteran's Bridge opened, followed by the 6A exit (now Exit 44) in November, 1973, which connected the Maine Turnpike directly with 295. The section of 295 that goes through Portland opened in November, 1974. |
