In the early 20th century, the great trolley system that linked Westbrook, Portland, South Portland and South Windham ended its service to make way for automobiles. If this system still existed today, the simple novelty of it would attract tourists just as the San Francisco trolleys have done.

Great cities like Boston and New York started out being separate areas that, over time, have bonded together to form the present-day cities we know today.

In the future, Westbrook, Portland, and the surrounding communities will grow into a city like Boston.

With fossil fuels becoming far more expensive in dollars, and most importantly, costly to American independence, the great trolley system that once connected this area would be far more valuable than a novelty. This being said, and understanding the Portland area will continue to grow, it is time for all of the surrounding local governments to take a serious look at building a state-of-the-art subway system.

As we grow, traffic will steadily increase to the point where the need for unsightly elevated highways will be necessary. Again, we can look to Boston and learn from their mistakes. Underground traffic, like the Big Dig, is a great idea. Hurried construction to save a few dollars, as well as product failures, blemished the real good it accomplished.

The Greater Portland area has the opportunity to build a great subway system, as well as a few underground traffic tunnels with the luxury of time and careful planning.

One day, with a beautiful subway system, a person could go to school in Gorham, work in South Portland and live in Westbrook, traveling the entire way by a quick, efficient subway.

Carson Wood.

Westbrook