Stopping the East West Highway Corridor

Stopping the Private East-West Highway Corridor

The Cianbro Corporation wants to build a privately-owned, 220 mile toll highway corridor cutting across the center of the Maine Woods Region in order to move freight trucks and cargo from New Brunswick to Quebec Canada.  The project's promoters describe a four-lane, high-speed highway through a 500-2,000 foot wide swath cleared through existing forests.  The massive construction project would cross mostly privately owned lands between the eastern border town of Calais and the western border town of Coburn Gore.

We strongly oppose this project because it would endanger our waterways and air quality, increase noise and light pollution, harm key wilderness recreational areas, and diminish the tourism experience in the region.

Read more about the campaign in our new brochure and other materials below:

What can you do to stop the highway?

  1. Sign our online petition.

  2. Join our email list to stay up to date on what is happening around the state on this issue.

  3. Write a letter to the editor to your local newspaper explaining why you oppose the highway.

  4. Volunteer to be active in your community opposing the highway. Email the Maine Chapter at maine.chapter@sierraclub.org, to get involved.

Anti-Highway Legislation Passes in 2013

During the 2013 legislative session, two anti-highway corridor bills, LD 985 and LD 721, became law.  LD 985, sponsored by Sen. Ed Mazurek of Rockland, repealed the East-West highway investment feasibility study and allows for greater public access to documents concerning the highway corridor.  LD 721, sponsored by Rep. Jeff McCabe of Skohegan, provided greater transporency for public-private partnerships.  In addition, the House and Senate passed a resolution (HP1134calling for greater legislative oversight and in-depth agency review for any proposed East-West highway project.  

Sierra Club Maine Testimony

Businesses Against the East-West Highway

On April 30, 2013, Businesses Against the East-West Highway and Sierra Club held a news conference to release a list of 125 small, local businesses owners in the path of the proposed highway opposing the highway.  Currently, the list of local businesses opposed to the highway corridor has grown to more than 200.  

That afternoon, the Transportation Committee conducted a public hearing on six bills working to help stop the highway. 

Here are a few media highlights from the day:

MPBN, Maine Small Business Owners Criticize East-West Highway Plan

WCSH, Channel 6 (NBC), Portland, ME, Small business owners voice concerns over east west highway

Portland Press Herald, Maine businesses speak out against east-west highway

Bangor Daily News, East-west highway foes say project would hurt businesses, environment