On Sunday, July 26, local artist Marissa Joly will be painting a mural at the end of Dana and Franklin Streets on Commercial Street.  At the same time road crews will install temporary safety features on Commercial Street in the same area according to a press release received this morning from Portland’s spokeswoman.

Road crews and volunteers will be installing temporary safety features, such as curb exensions, pedestrian refuge islands and designated truck loading zones.  All this while Ms. Joy will be painting a mural at the end of Dana Street.

All installations will be removed by November 15th, ahead of wnter snowfall.

In 2025, 29 people lost their lives and 160 were seriously injured in traffic crashes across the Greater Portland region.  Among these were 12 pedestrians and cyclists.

The Commercial Street demonstration project is among nine such projects planned across the region from 2025 to 2027.  The demonstration projects, supplies and seven additional planning studies are funded by a $637,000 federal Safe Streets for All grant from the US Department of Transportation, with the Greater Portland Council of Governments contributing a 20 percent local match.

Ms. Joly, who grew up in Auburn, is a M’kmaq artist and member of the Listuguj First Nation in Quebec.  Her colorful murals incorporate imagery and design elements connected to Wabanaki culture — including water, wildlife, turtle, medicine wheels and M’kmaq motifs.  They serve as public teaching tools that introduce students and community members to Wabanaki history and culture.