Maine gets $25M to deal with traffic around new campus for Roux Institute in Portland

Rendering / Courtesy, IDEALS A rendering of the proposed Roux Institute campus, on the site of the former B&M baked bean factory in Portland's East Deering neighborhood.

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By William Hall

Maine will receive $25 million in federal funds to pay for road improvements and other infrastructure upgrades in Portland's East Deering neighborhood — where the Roux Institute of Northeastern University plans a new campus.

The money will be used to install and restore shared-use pathways, upgrade streets and intersections, and adjust a nearby off-ramp of Interstate 295 to help with traffic flow, according to news releases from U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, U.S. Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine 1st District.

Traffic and transportation has been a concern among some East Deering residents since plans were drawn up for the campus, on the grounds of the former B&M baked bean factory. Currently, there is only one road available to access the site.

“This funding will help transform an iconic piece of industrial waterfront into an innovation hub accessible by multiple transportation modes, including extensive bicycle and pedestrian connections,” said Bruce Van Note, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation.

“The transition of the focus of this site from beans to biotech is forward-looking and exciting. We are grateful to Maine’s congressional delegation for championing transformative projects that improve economic opportunity and quality of life. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners, including the City of Portland and the Roux Institute, to enhance the multimodal connections in East Deering.”

The funds are being awarded to MDOT through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant program.