The Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) is the Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Portland, Maine region. It was established to improve the coordination of transportation planning and investment decisions by state, municipal and public transportation organizations. To learn more click here.

We published our 2010 Annual Report in June 2010.  Click here to read about many recent and upcoming activities at PACTS, GPCOG and MaineDOT, and for a list of our current Committee members.

Read the PACTS blog for information on what PACTS is working on.

Greater Portland’s Transportation System: A Vital Resource Needs Our Help

For too long, we’ve taken our transportation system for granted. In 2006, PACTS determined that Greater Portland - covering an area from Biddeford to Gorham to Freeport - would need more than $500 million over the next decade just to maintain the existing system. Under the current funding structure, which primarily comes from state and federal gas taxes, we have a $250 million shortfall. Current trends indicate that vehicles will become more fuel efficient and people will drive fewer miles in the years ahead, and as these changes take place, the $250 million funding gap will grow. This problem makes it not only difficult to maintain what we have, but also to expand and transition to more sustainable transportation modes.

PACTS developed the video above to illustrate the funding problem and to encourage residents and leaders to find solutions. PACTS staff and members thank Michael McDade, the director of the Falmouth public access television station, for his excellent work in creating this video. Please see our resources page, where there are supplemental links provided to educate you and those who may make a difference.

PACTS Happenings:

PACTS Regional Bike/Ped Plan Update:  Final Report

PACTS Annual Report 2010

UPWP for 2009-2011

Annual Listing of Obligated Projects
TIP Process and Procedures Document

PACTS Annual Report 2010

The Unified Planning Work Program is the budget and scope of work that PACTS, GPCOG, SMRPC and consultants will do based on funding from the Federal Highway and Transit Administrations, and match funding provided by MaineDOT and our other member agencies and governments.  We began developing this in January 2009.  The two year period is July 2009 to June 2011.  The introduction includes an overview of public comments received.

Annual Listing of Obligated Projects

The PACTS Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) is a listing of transportation projects over a four-year period which will be paid for at least in part with money from the Federal Highway Administration or Federal Transit Administration.  To ensure that the public will have an accurate understanding of how federal funds are actually being spent on transportation projects, Title 23, Code of Federal Regulations, part 450.332 requires metropolitan planning organizations to publish an annual listing of project obligations for the preceding program year.

What are "project obligations"?  In order to begin work on any phase of a transportation project, federal funds must be obligated. This means that the money is set aside for that particular piece of work, and then can be used to pay bills.

Project Listing.  The following link will take you to a list of projects in the PACTS area for which MaineDOT obligated federal funds in federal fiscal year 2009.  Click here for list of projects.

TIP Process and Procedures Document

The Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System (PACTS) shares the responsibility with the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) for the programming of all projects funded with Federal Highway and Federal Transit Administration (FHWA and FTA) funds in the PACTS Funding Area. The primary purpose of this document is to describe the development and administration of PACTS "MPO Allocation" projects. 

PACTS is staffed by:

Director, John Duncan

Senior Transportation Planner, Paul Niehoff

Transportation Planner, Carl Eppich

PACTS is also assisted by and shares office space with the Greater Portland Council of Governments.