A leader on the trail (Nov. 28, 2010)

John Andrews is the motivating force behind southern Maine’s expanding off-road trail system.

By Deirdre Fleming dfleming@mainetoday.com Staff Writer

ARUNDEL – The trail was slick with sleet Friday morning and the rain was cold, but John Andrews happily covered ground in his work boots as he gave a tour through the wood-lined path leading to the Kennebunk River.

It was the newest section of the Eastern Trail, and after several trail “unveilings” in as many years, Andrews is getting used to showing off this ever-expanding off-road trail in southern Maine.

The Eastern Trail begins at Bug Light in South Portland and the plan is to extend it all the way to Kittery, some 70 miles. It currently travels off road in sections through South Portland, Scarborough, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and now, with the newest section, across Biddeford, Arundel and Kennebunk.

John Andrews points toward Kennebunk as he shows off a new section of the Eastern Trail in Arundel where it crosses the Kennebunk River with a new bridge. The trail is part of the 3,000-mile East Coast Greenway.