The Avangrid Foundation, the philanthropic arm of leading energy company Avangrid Inc., a member of the Iberdrola Group, joined Central Maine Power, the Eastern Trail Alliance, community leaders, project partners, and Maine residents on August 6 to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of a new 1.6-mile segment of the Eastern Trail. This milestone project closes a gap in the trail system and creates a continuous off-road connection from South Portland’s Bug Light to downtown Saco.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the completion of the “Close the Gap” project, which expands public access to safe outdoor recreation, active transportation, and the natural beauty of southern Maine. The Avangrid Foundation supported the project through a grant that helped advance the vision of creating a more connected and accessible trail network for Maine residents and visitors.
“At Avangrid, we believe strong communities are built through investments that create lasting value for the people we serve. The completion of this new Eastern Trail segment is a great example of how partnerships can expand access to outdoor recreation, improve connectivity, and enhance quality of life across southern Maine,” said Avangrid CEO Jose Antonio Miranda.
“By supporting this project, the Avangrid Foundation and Central Maine Power are helping create a lasting community asset that will benefit residents and attract visitors for years to come.”
“Trails do more than connect destinations—they connect people. This new segment of the Eastern Trail creates a seamless link between communities while expanding access to outdoor recreation for families, cyclists, runners, and visitors alike,” said Pablo Colón, director of corporate citizenship and executive director of the Avangrid Foundation.
“We’re proud to partner with the Eastern Trail Alliance on a project that will help more people experience the beauty of Maine for years to come.”
Spanning 1.6 miles, the construction of this new trail closes a gap in the Eastern Trail and now provides 16 continuous off-road miles for public enjoyment. The new segment required the construction of two new bridges, one over the Nonesuch River crossing and a second elevated over the railroad tracks. The trail is officially open for public use following the ribbon cutting.
“This is an exciting culmination of almost two decades of hard work,” said Eliza Alexander, Interim executive director of the Eastern Trail Alliance.
“The new trail segment creates a beautiful off-road corridor that is safe and accessible for runners, walkers, and cyclists alike. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and collaboration of the many people who helped realise this vision.”
