Question 1, the $112.9 million transportation bond on the June 12th ballot
provides funding for both highway and non-highway components of the MaineDOT’s
capital program. $100 million is slated for highway and bridge improvements,
leveraging $161 million in matching federal funds and $15 million in local funds.
An additional $12.9 million would fund airports, port and ferry projects,
trails, rail and transit facilities, and leverages over $70 million in
matching funds.. This bond, with federal matching and local funds,
generates over $350 million in transportation funds for a variety of
highway and non-highway transportation projects statewide. The Work
Plan represents hundreds of projects and thousands of jobs statewide.
The breakdown of bond funds among the modes of transportation is as follows.
Highway and Bridge Improvements -- $100 Million
$100 million will match up to $161 million in federal funds and $15 million in
local funds to support highway and bridge programs statewide. According to federal
estimates, the $100 million, along with matching funds, will generate over 8,000 jobs.
These are jobs that pay well; e.g. average construction wages in Maine are $18 per
hour. Funding will support major projects such as the Gorham Village Bypass,
improvements through I-295 in Portland/ South Portland, I-95 through Bangor,
and replacement of the Norridgewock “Covered” Bridge. The remaining funds will
support individual projects listed in the 2008/09 Capital Work Plan including
Maine’s rural and metropolitan highways, bridge, environmental, mobility and
highway safety projects. This includes reconstruction of over 100 miles of
Maine’s arterial and collector highways and rehabilitation or replacement of
over 84 bridges statewide.
Port and Ferry Improvements -- $1.78 Million
- $1 million for Small Harbors Improvement Program
- $280,000 for Searsport Army Corps Study
- $500,000 for Portland International Marine Terminal
- $250,000 for Casco Bay Island Transit District
Airport Improvements -- $3.2 Million
- This funding will match the $57.5 million in Federal Aviation Administration funds and $3.2 million in local funds to provide grants for infrastructure improvements to publicly owned airports statewide.
Trails, and Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements -- $500,000
- $500,000 for construction of bicycle and pedestrian trails in communities throughout the state. Matches $1.6 million in Federal Highway Administration “Transportation Enhancement” funds for projects statewide.
Transit and Intermodal Facility Improvements -- $3.65 Million
- Transit (Buses) - $1 million
- Intermodal Passenger Facilities - $2.65 million
Passenger and Freight Rail Systems -- $3.87 Millionn
- $250,000 for the Downeaster – Yarmouth to Brunswick environmental process
- Industrial Rail Access Program - $1.6 million
- Mountain Division Line Study/Purchase/Engineering - $520,000
- Freight Rail Interchange Program (FRIP): Danville Gateway, Pan Am-SLA / Brunswick, Pan Am-MERR - $500,000 – to support dedicated rail service to Montreal and points west.
- State-Owned Railroad Track Capital Improvements - $1 million – Rockland Branch and Lewiston Lower Road
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