Streets & Sidewalks

Public Works provides the maintenance, paving, snow removal and signage for the city's streets and sidewalks. We also maintain curbing, and clear storm drain surfaces of debris.

After 3:00 pm and on weekends or holidays, please report emergency road situations such as sinkholes and flooding to the Police Department at 799-5511, ext 8575.

Street Sweeping

Street sweeping helps to prevent sand and sediment, especially after winter sanding/salting operations, from getting into the City's catch basins and drainage system, while increasing road safety for motorcycles, bicycles and others. Public Works and contracted help will sweep the entire city several times throughout the spring, summer and fall months.

Although we do not publish a sweeping schedule (we will jump around to accommodate for issues like curbside trash collection), we will try to give updates on our Facebook page.

Paving

The paving program restores drainage and improves travel over the city's streets. Resurfacing of streets is not done at random - the streets are first rated for deterioration. Paving projects are completed utilizing Public Works crews and outside contractors, although some roads are designated arterials (state roads) and are paved by MEDOT contractors.   

Paving consists of either a mill-and-fill, or a full reclamation. Reclamation construction is a two-part process, with reclaim and first layer of new pavement as phase one, and overlay as phase two. Note that during the waiting period between phase one and two, the transition from the phase one paving to driveways, road entrances and manholes may be uneven.

Moratorium

After phase two is complete, the street is placed on a moratorium list for 5 years. For a map of streets under moratorium, please refer to the Streets Under Moratorium [link] and select the moratorium layer (via in the expandable Layers tab on the left).  Moratorium streets will require a special permit and additional fee before excavation is allowed. For more information regarding excavation permitting and fees, please visit the Code Enforcement office's page.

Potholes 

Potholes are an inevitable reality of living in New England. If you encounter a pothole, please report it to Public Works via our Citizen Request Form or by calling our office. It's helpful if you can provide an address to assist with location. When necessary, temporary repairs may be made, followed by permanent repairs as conditions permit.

Please note that per Maine state law, municipalities do not assume liability for damages sustained to a vehicle unless the pothole was reported but not repaired within the 24-hour period following the time of actual notice.

Posted Roads 

In accordance with Title 29 M.R.S.A., §2395 and the provisions of the Maine Department of Transportation's Rules and Regulations restricting Heavy Loads on Closed Ways, the City of South Portland may close certain roads or sections of roads to heavy loads.  The following 3 areas have been posted as of March 4, 2025 until further notice:

• Broadway, between Westbrook Street and Cash Corner (Main Street)
• Fickett Street, from Highland Avenue to the Cape Elizabeth line
• Stillman Street, from Highland Avenue to Sawyer Street

These areas are closed, unless solidly frozen, to all vehicles or combination of vehicles except:

1. Any vehicle or combination of vehicles, with or without a load, registered for a gross weight of 23,000 pounds or less
2. Any vehicle or combination of vehicles registered for a gross weight in excess of 23,000 pounds without a load other than tools and equipment necessary for the proper operation of such vehicle or combination of vehicles.

Please contact our office any questions or requests.

Traffic Signals

Public Works oversees the operation of traffic signals and pedestrian signals (including school zone signals). To report a malfunctioning signal, please call our office at 207-767-7635 during normal business hours, or SPPD after hours. You can also file a report via our Citizen Request Portal. 

Signs

Public Works is responsible for maintaining existing street and regulatory signs, and installing new signs. Regulatory signs must be approved by City Council before they can be added to the City's Traffic Schedule and installed by our Sign Shop.