Sen. Miramant bill would spur alternative transportation investment

AUGUSTA — A bill by Sen. Miramant, D-Camden, would give municipalities additional tools to invest in alternative forms of transportation, such as passenger rail and public transit.

The bill — LD 500, “An Act to Allow the Formation of Transportation Corridor Districts” — received a public hearing before the Transportation Committee on Friday.

This legislation allows municipalities, working independently or in conjunction with one another, to form Transportation Corridor Districts, corporate entities that may pursue the development of alternative transportation projects such as passenger rail, ferries, bus routes or bicycle paths.

“Alternative transportation presents a great economic and environmental opportunity for us here in Maine,” said Sen. Miramant. “This bill gives municipalities the tools to move forward and have local control on their own funding for regional projects.”

The corridor districts will have the authority to bond infrastructure, fundraise, make capital investments, purchase, own and lease real estate, and otherwise pursue the development of transportation alternatives. Multiple towns or cities, working together, could operate a Transportation Corridor District across their borders as one entity, strengthening connectivity between those communities. The bill would require voter approval for the creation of a Transportation Corridor District.

Currently, automobiles are one of the leading causes of pollution in Maine. Alternative transportation would give greater, cleaner options to the general public.

The bill earned the support of the Sierra Club, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting Maine’s water, forests and air quality for generations to come.

LD 500 faces further action in the Transportation Committee and votes in the House and Senate.

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