Libby reminds Lewiston residents about public hearings on passenger rail returning to area

Sen. Nate Libby, D-Lewiston, is reminding Lewiston-area residents about the upcoming public hearings where they can provide feedback on the possibility of passenger rail returning to the Lewiston area. This public hearings are being hosted by the cities of Lewiston and Auburn, the Maine Department of Transportation, and the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA). The hosts will solicit feedback from attendees about how they travel today as well as whether they would use an expanded passenger rail service.

“I hope Lewiston people are able to come share how passenger rail service would benefit them,” said Sen. Libby. “Personally, the increased connectivity with Portland, Boston, and beyond, along with decreased traffic congestion and pollution and other potential benefits, are reasons I think passenger rail should come back to Lewiston.”

In the 2015-2016 Legislative Session, Sen. Libby worked with the Lewiston legislative delegation to secure state funding for planning passenger rail service to Lewiston. The listening sessions are a part of that planning study.

“Portland, Biddeford, Freeport, Brunswick, and Rockland all have passenger train service today,” said Sen. Libby. “We live in Maine’s second largest city and it is past time for the people of Lewiston, Auburn and the surrounding communities to have passenger rail service.”

The public hearing will be held in Callahan Hall at the Lewiston Public Library from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM on Wednesday, March 28, with April 5 as a snow date. A public hearing on this topic will also be held in Portland (4:30 to 6:30 PM on March 27 in Room 24 at Portland City Hall, snow date April 4).

A flier from NNEPRA about the public hearings