Despite objections from Gov. Paul LePage, the Legislature has passed a bill that could ease traffic congestion in Portland's western suburbs.
The proposal allows the Maine Turnpike Authority to study and build a five-mile connector to mitigate traffic jams on access roads from Portland to the Gorham-Scarborough area.
The governor vetoed the bill because the connector would be a toll access road. But lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the measure because the Maine Department of Transportation has struggled to fund and maintain its existing roads and bridges, much less new projects.
The bill would allow the Turnpike Authority to borrow up to $150 million to construct the connector.
The Senate voted 35-0 to override the governor's veto, while the House voted 125-8.
