Public Forum: the Maine State Rail Plan

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Past Event ....... October 22^nd, 2009 — 6:00 pm

maine rails Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m. in the Couture Room, a public forum sponsored by the Maine Department of Transportation to solicit local input on the most pressing needs and perceived barriers in regard to the development of a Maine State Rail Plan. Free. For more information: 623-4000 or 329-6502.

Further details:

In order to determine where and how to best make passenger and freight rail investments over the next ten-years, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is developing the Maine State Rail Plan, an analysis into the state rail system’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. An upcoming October 22 public meeting in Lewiston will allow L/A area residents to help with the analysis by providing their thoughts on two important questions:

1. What are the most pressing statewide and regional rail issues and barriers over the next five to ten years?

2. What criteria should Maine use to prioritize rail investments?

The public meeting will take place at Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 22, from 6 to 8 pm.

In addition to soliciting information from the public, MaineDOT is working with a 30-member Technical Advisory Committee to gather information on current infrastructure needs and identify trends and opportunities. A study website is linked to the MaineDOT home page – and can also be found by going directly to www.maine.gov/mdot/railplan/index.htm. The public can also provide comments via the web site. As study data is gathered, it will be posted on the site, giving the public ongoing information into the study process and findings.

In addition to hearing from stakeholders, Nate Moulton, MaineDOT Rail Plan Project Manager, sees development of the plan as a way to provide insight into the challenge of making transportation decisions. “We all know that today’s economy means making difficult decisions and trade-offs,” he said. “Funding for maintaining and operating an efficient passenger and freight rail system is very complex, and this study will be a great way to make this aspect of transportation planning part of the public dialogue.”

The State Rail Plan is scheduled to be completed early in 2010.

Questions regarding the upcoming meeting at LPL may be directed to Carol Morris, Public Outreach, at cmorris@morriscomm.net or 207-329-6502.

Posted: Friday, October 16th, 2009 in Community Meeting, Discussion