Gov. Mills signs bills from Senators Baldacci and Chipman to study rail lines to connect Maine into law

AUGUSTA — On Monday, June 14, Gov. Janet Mills signed into law two bills from Senator Ben Chipman, D-Portland, and Senator Joe Baldacci, D-Bangor, to conduct feasibility studies to determine if a passenger rail from Portland to Lewiston and Brunswick to Bangor are possible. The new laws, LD 991, “Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Complete a Feasibility Analysis To Initiate a Commuter and Passenger Train Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area,” and LD 227, “Resolve, To Conduct a Feasibility Study for Extending Passenger Rail Service from Brunswick through Augusta and Waterville to Bangor,” will result in feasibility studies to analyze and examine the variables and barriers that exist to build the passenger rails in Maine. 

“Investing in rail is smart economic and climate policy,” said Senator Chipman. “Rail reduces individual carbon emissions, and decades of studies have shown that public transportation is direct investment in anti-poverty policy. Investing in feasibility analyses is a vital first step in figuring out how we can best expand passenger rail here in Maine. A rail corridor connecting Portland and the Lewiston-Auburn area would expand on existing infrastructure and strengthen our communities. I thank my colleagues in the Senate for supporting passenger rail in Maine.” 

“There is no time to waste on the issue of passenger rail in Maine. We have to do all we can to build these passenger rail networks across the state to bring Maine into the twenty-first century,” said Senator Baldacci. “This law grants us an opportunity to study the feasibility of implementing a rail service that would bridge some of the most populous parts of our state, as far north as Bangor. Mainer’s are ready for a robust passenger rail system, and I am excited that we’re getting that process underway.” 

“This bill continues the effort to expand critical rail service to Lewiston and Auburn. Giving more Mainers and visitors to our great state more options for easy, safe transportation will give our economy a much-needed boost and help us move away from car and car pollution,” said Tony Donovan of the Maine Rail Transit Coalition. “Because of funding currently being offered by the federal government, time is of the essence for us to pass this bill. We have the opportunity to be in a good position to make real investments in Maine’s future.” 

“This would be great for the city of Waterville. We currently have a housing crisis here, a passenger rail would allow people to access our businesses to work and to shop which would be incredible,” said Jay Coelho, mayor of Waterville, in testimony supporting LD 227. “We also have two colleges here, so it’s very important to me to have our students be able to travel across the state to visit home or make a day trip to Bangor or Portland.” 

The feasibility analyses would examine potential station locations, market demand for rail, potential economic benefits, the environmental impact, funding options, necessary capital investments, and the possibility of expanding service to Montreal and Boston. These feasibility analyses will provide a passenger service development plan as well. 

The laws will go into effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns sine die.