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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 01, 2021
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Maine Turnpike preliminary traffic numbers from Memorial Day Weekend
Traffic was up significantly over 2020, down 7.4 percent from 2019
PORTLAND, Maine – Preliminary numbers are in from Turnpike traffic over Memorial Day Weekend. Friday, May 28, 2021 through Monday, May 31, 2021 there were approximately 940,000 transactions on the Maine Turnpike. That is an increase of 66.5 percent over last year's Memorial Day Weekend. Despite the rainy weather that likely prevented some day trippers from venturing out, traffic was only down 7.4 percent from 2019's record breaking Memorial Day Weekend when over 1 million transactions occurred that Friday through Monday.
Incoming traffic on Friday remained constant without any significant backups northbound. However, on Monday, as motorists left the state, significant backups did persist for much of the day. Traffic began picking up at York at 9:00 AM on Monday with delays happening by 10:30 AM. The traffic backups reached as far as the Kennebunk exit (Mile 25) at its height. At York Toll plaza alone, there were over 201,000 transactions that occurred from Friday through Monday.
"These types of backups are indicative to us that summer and the tourists have arrived," said MTA spokesperson, Erin Courtney. "Had the weather cooperated with us this year, I think we would have seen even more traffic on the road. We are hopeful that it is a sign that this summer is going to be a good one for everyone that relies on tourism."