News Release 10/16/2026

NEWS RELEASE

Commercial Street/Fish Pier Storm Drain Project: Work to enter Commercial Street on 10/26

PORTLAND, Maine – Storm drain work associated with the Commercial Street/Portland Fish Pier Storm Drain Outfall Project is expected to move into Commercial Street on or around October 26, 2026. Initial work in Commercial will focus on required test pit explorations to identify underground utilities and site conditions before storm drain
installation begins, anticipated in mid-November.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR MOTORISTS
Beginning on October 26, Commercial Street will be intermittently reduced to alternating one-way traffic between Maple Street and Center Street from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to accommodate test pit exploration work. Two-way traffic will be restored overnight and on weekends during this initial phase. Once storm drain installation begins in mid-November, alternating one-way traffic will be maintained 24 hours a day, seven days a week, using temporary traffic signals. This traffic pattern is expected to remain in place until the storm drain work is completed in the winter of 2027. On-street parking will be significantly reduced along this section of Commercial Street throughout the construction period. Motorists should plan for delays and allow extra travel time when traveling through the area.

SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTE, IF POSSIBLE, TO AVOID DELAYS
To avoid traffic delays, the City is asking motorists to avoid the work zone altogether by considering another route during the project. This project is being completed as part of the Commercial Street/Portland Fish Pier Storm Drain Outfall Project.