Transportation
Policy:
1. “Maine Safer Roads Initiative”
2. Collars and Bike Paths
3. Invest in Cargo and Select Passenger Rail
4. Continue to Improve the Maine Turnpike
5. Improved Inland Road Access to Western Maine Mountains
6. Strengthen Urban and Rural Airports and Bus Routes
Rationale:
A “Maine Safer Roads Initiative” will propose to include plans to widen state-numbered roads, to include collars and improved turn lanes whenever possible. c
Consider traffic lights over traffic circles where appropriate. Maine needs to supplement the USDOT bridge project funding with continued state investment. A bike path expansion program and attention to sidewalk and collar opportunities on state-numbered roads for biking and pedestrians is a form of economic development.
Continue to invest in the Maine Turnpike. Continue widening north beyond Portland. Eliminate the two single-lane structures on the Maine Turnpike at the toll booths for safety during fog and poor weather conditions.
Restart and re-envision a long-term plan for a east-west highway opportunities for southern, central and western parts of the state. Bring private construction companies to the table for strategy development. Further widening and improved safety for routes such as 1, 4, 25, 26,117, 302 and several others will be examined. Add exit and entry ramps off the Maine Turnpike to reduce municipal congestion in key areas. Ogunquit and Cumberland are two locations that have been ignored in the past.
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Create partnerships to promote public cargo and select passenger rail investment. Prioritize the movement of chemicals off roadways via rail and pipeline. Maine will support the “Hazardous Materials Transported by Rail” reporting law enacted in the 131st Legislature. CSX recently acquired the former Pan Am Railways. They are already implementing significant upgrades, including a modernization and repair investment of over $100 million dollars. This includes Positive Train Control (PTC) installations in partnership with Amtrak. These installations are designed to prevent train-to-train collisions, derailments, and other problems. Fifty miles of continuous-welded rail and the replacement of 47,000 cross ties will allow cargo to reach 40 mph safely, as compared to current restrictions of 10 mph in some areas.
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The Libby for Governor campaign supports access to key natural resources that make Maine a vacation destination for people around the world. The workforce housing project at the newly redeveloped Saddleback Ski Resort, including the Saddleback House, is excellent. Investment in safer roads to Maine mountains should be a reward for this investment. Further loan guarantees from the Finance Authority of Maine and other entities such as the Maine Rural Development Authority will be sought for this and similar projects around the state.
Seek further federal and state funding to support enhancement of rural and urban airport facilities, programs, and services. Work with major airlines and smaller companies such as Cape Air to expand consumer options. Buses will always be an important part of public transit. More targeted subsidy for CDL training through Maine adult education programming is an opportunity, as the model at Maranacook Adult Education appears to indicate.
