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| Maine State Route 117 | |
|---|---|
| State | ME |
| Type | ME |
| Route | 117 |
| Length mi | 63.8 |
| Established | 1925 |
| Direction a | South |
| Terminus a | Brunswick |
| Direction b | North |
| Terminus b | Berlin |
| Counties | Cumberland County, Sagadahoc County, Androscoggin County, Franklin County |
Maine State Route 117 is a state-numbered highway in the U.S. state of Maine serving a roughly north–south corridor through Brunswick, Lisbon, Lewiston, and rural communities toward Jay and the western foothills of the White Mountains (New Hampshire). The route links suburban and industrial centers with recreational and riverine landscapes along the Androscoggin River and connects with several principal arteries including U.S. Route 1, Interstate 95, and U.S. Route 2. The highway traverses multiple county seats and serves local commerce, freight movements, and tourism to nearby parks and historic districts.
SR 117 begins in Brunswick near the intersection with U.S. Route 1 and the Maine Turnpike corridor, passing landmarks such as the Bowdoin College campus and the Maine Maritime Museum vicinity. Leaving the coastal plain, the route proceeds northwest through suburban Topsham and agricultural zones adjacent to Merrymeeting Bay and crosses tributaries feeding the Kennebec River and the Androscoggin River. In Lewiston and Auburn SR 117 intersects urban grids near the Maine Medical Center network and industrial sites formerly served by Continental AG suppliers and textile mills tied to the Industrial Revolution-era development along the Androscoggin. Northward, the highway threads through Sabattus, Lisbon Falls, and Farmington peripheries, skirting state parks such as Bradbury Mountain State Park and recreational access to the Appalachian Trail. Approaching the highlands, SR 117 connects with corridors leading to Rangeley and provides access toward Grafton Notch recreation areas.
The designation for SR 117 dates to the early 20th century when state highway systems expanded following model legislation inspired by the Federal Aid Road Act of 1916 and subsequent New England road marking efforts. Route changes reflected industrial patterns driven by companies like S.D. Warren Company and transport shifts associated with the Maine Central Railroad corridors. Alignments were altered in mid-century during expansions of I-95 and the realignment of US 2 to improve connections between Portland, Lewiston, and inland towns. Preservation efforts in historic districts such as Brunswick Historic District and environmental regulations from agencies like the Maine Department of Transportation influenced roadway upgrades. In recent decades, rehabilitations paralleled initiatives by the Federal Highway Administration to improve safety after studies prompted by events like regional winter storms and flooding along the Androscoggin River.
The highway intersects numerous significant routes, including junctions with US 1 in the Brunswick area, an interchange near I-95/Maine Turnpike access, crossings of US 202 and SR 26 in the Lewiston–Auburn region, and connections to US 2 toward the interior. Additional nodes include links to SR 4 and SR 133, providing continuity for freight and passenger movements between county seats like Augusta and Farmington. These intersections facilitate transfers to rail-served ports and intermodal terminals serving Central Maine and Quebec Railway corridors.
Several state-numbered and U.S. highways form a network with SR 117, such as SR 11, SR 100, and US 1A that serve coastal and inland alternatives. Connector routes include alignments toward I-295 and spurs providing access to historic town centers like the Auburn Historic District and Lisbon Historic District. Coordination with regional planning organizations including the Western Maine Regional Planning Commission and the Kennebec Valley Council of Governments shapes numbering and maintenance priorities.
Traffic patterns on SR 117 vary from commuter volumes near Brunswick and Lewiston to low-density rural flows in western segments approaching the highlands. Seasonal tourism, including visitors to the Acadia National Park region and the Baxter State Park corridor, influences peak loads during summer and fall foliage seasons. Maintenance is overseen by the Maine Department of Transportation, with operations coordinated with county governments in Cumberland County, Sagadahoc County, Androscoggin County, and Franklin County. Capital projects often receive funding from federal sources including the Federal Highway Administration and regional grants administered via the Maine Turnpike Authority and state transportation improvement programs following standards promulgated by entities such as the AASHTO.
Planned improvements along SR 117 include pavement rehabilitation, bridge replacements, and safety upgrades consistent with statewide priorities set by the Maine Department of Transportation and metropolitan planning organizations like the Lewiston–Auburn Metropolitan Planning Organization. Projects are coordinated with utility stakeholders including Central Maine Power Company and conservation groups such as the Sierra Club and the Maine Audubon Society when work affects wetlands or wildlife corridors. Long-range plans consider multimodal enhancements connecting to Amtrak Downeaster service, bicycle networks promoted by Maine Bicycle Coalition, and resilience measures addressing climate-related flooding highlighted in reports by the NOAA and the USACE.