Sen. Rotundo bill to study restoration of passenger rail from Boston to Montreal becomes law
AUGUSTA — On June 3, a bill from Sen. Peggy Rotundo, D-Lewiston, that would direct legislative advisory commissions with jurisdiction over Maine’s relationship with Canada and New England to study the feasibility of restoring passenger rail from Boston to Montreal went into law. The bill, LD 472 “Resolve, Directing the Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission and the New England and Eastern Canada Legislative Commission to Examine Restoring Passenger Rail from Boston to Montreal,” looks to capitalize on the renewed interest in passenger rail systems that connect New England to Eastern Canada.
“I am pleased that the Commission will finally have the opportunity to conduct this study. There is no cost to taxpayers, and it will keep alive the possibility of bringing passenger rail to Lewiston,” said Sen. Rotundo. “It is my hope that someday Lewiston will be linked by passenger rail to both Montreal and Boston.”
The Maine-Canadian Legislative Advisory Commission and the New England and Eastern Canadian Legislative Commission will now work with neighboring commissions to conduct high-level policy discussions that will be used as the basis for future evaluations. The commissions have until December 3 of this year to report back to the Maine Legislature with their findings.
A similar bill was introduced during the 131st Legislature, but due to the timing of appointments made to the Commission, the members were unable to meet in time to conduct the studies.
###
