The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is beginning the process of drafting a new surface transportation authorization bill to replace the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act:  A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (P.L. 109-59), which is expected to be considered by the House this June. This legislation will transform our surface transportation programs by strengthening the current Federal-state-local partnership, ensuring that programs meet specific performance-based metrics, and providing for greater transparency and accountability for Federal, state, and local transportation decision-making.

To compliment the work done by these agencies, and to ensure that the needs of all communities - urban, suburban, and rural - are full partners in these important programs, a small percentage of the overall investment of the authorization bill will be available for Member-designated, High Priority Projects ("HPPs").  HPPs are critical to our District and the state of Maine, and ensure that we are investing in projects and communities that may not otherwise receive Federal funding.  The new authorization will include a strong focus on performance and accountability for all projects and policies, and these same high standards will be applied for the HPP submission and selection process.

The following HPPs were requested by my office for funding. If you have any questions or comments about these projects, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Maine Route 9 Improvements for Traffic Calming and Pedestrian Safety

$5,600,000

University of New England
Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005

This project provides safety enhancements to the access road from Route 9 to Hills Beach Road; constructs a continuation of the access road across Route 9 to Newtown Road; constructs a pedestrian tunnel under Route 9; and builds sidewalks on both sides of Route 9 with pedestrian crosswalks.

Repair of Scribner’s Mills Road Bridge over the Crooked River in Harrison and Otisfield

$68,000

Town of Harrison
20 Front Street, Harrison, Maine, 04040

This projects repairs the Scribner’s Mill Bridge over the Crooked River connecting the town of Harrison to the town of Otisfield and Cumberland to Oxford Counties. The current deficiencies identified by the Maine Department of Transportation, if not corrected, could result in closure of the bridge. The closure would result in a 5 mile detour for local residents and public safety units. The bridge is located adjacent to the historic Scribner’s Mill.

Eastern Trail, Saco-Biddeford Segment

$2,889,600

Cities of Saco and Biddeford 300 Main Street
Saco, Maine 04072

This project constructs a 3.1 mile portion of the Eastern Trail in Saco and Biddeford Maine. The Eastern Trail will provide an all-season resource for alternative forms of transportation, connect communities, help create walk-able and healthy communities and reduce unsanctioned land use.

640000

Eastern Trail Bridge crossing of the Nonesuch River in Scarborough.

$640,000

Scarborough Community Services
259 US Route 1 P.O. Box 360 Scarborough, Maine, 04074

The Eastern Trail is 55 mile multi-purpose transportation corridor between Kittery and South Portland. The trail is used by pedestrians and bicyclists, and for general recreation. While the majority of the Eastern Trail in Scarborough is complete, a final segment crossing the Nonesuch River in Scarborough to South Portland has not been completed. This last link will connect Saco, Old Orchard, and other points south to the trails north of Scarborough. The installation of a bridge over the Nonesuch River is currently the most significant barrier to accomplishing this.

PACTS - Transit Vehicle Repair and Replacement

$8,000,000

PACTS – The Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation System
68 Marginal Way Portland, Maine 04101

This project replaces aging public transportation vehicles and adds vehicles that are needed to provide expand and improve existing service. An increase in public transportation services is vital to the developing a more sustainable transportation system, reducing the use of fossil fuels, and mitigating global climate change. This will give a major boost to the fleets and services of the METRO, the South Portland Bus Service, the Shuttlebus-ZOOM, the Regional Transportation Program, the York County Community Action Corporation and the Casco Bay Island Transit District.

6000000

Saco - Sweetser Street

$1,053,800

City of Saco, Maine
300 Main Street. Saco 04072

This project constructs 2,250 feet of roads from Moody Street to Route 1 opposite of Ross Road. Work includes final design and permitting, construction, drainage and paving, and utility work. Sweetser Street would provide a second means of egress for Moody Street and Sweetser residents, and the school campus. The proposed street would address the safety issue of ‘left-turning’ from Route One onto/out of Moody Street by re routing traffic through the new proposed intersection at the Ross Road and Route One which is signalized.

Augusta - Mount Vernon Avenue Reconstruction Project

$1,200,000

City of Augusta
16 Cony Street Augusta, Maine 04330

This project reconstructs 1,200 linear feet of Mount Vernon Avenue. The proposed work will include excavation of the existing pavement and road base, installation of new road base materials, construction of storm drainage and under drainage, installation of new sidewalks and curbing, rebuilding the existing failing concrete retaining walls and complete repaving of the roadway and sidewalks. This project will enhance the flow of traffic into the City of Augusta and to the State Capitol complex area for approximately 14,000 motorists on a daily basis.

Augusta North Connections – Exit 113

$8,000,000

City of Augusta
16 Cony Street Augusta, Maine 04330

This project constructs a full north and southbound exit interchange at mile marker 113 on Interstate 95 along with a roundabout and connector road to Civic Center Drive (Route 27). This project will improve traffic congestion in and around Augusta as well as ensure that traffic arteries will be able to accommodate the flow of vehicular traffic travelling to or through the City to other destinations.

Kennebunk-Wells-South Berwick, Eastern Trail

$1,280,000

Michael Claus, P.E.
Kennebunk Public Works Department Kennebunk, ME 04043

This project designs and constructs the Eastern Trail Bicycle and Pedestrian Corridor between the towns of Kennebunk and South Berwick, Maine. The Eastern Trail will provide an all-season resource for alternative forms of transportation, connect communities, help to create walk-able and healthy communities and reduce unsanctioned land use. The proposed Eastern Trail will reopen a historic railroad corridor, the first connecting Maine with Boston.

Brunswick Train Station - Design and Construction of a Parking Facility

$3,200,000

Town of Brunswick
28 Federal Street Brunswick, ME 04011

This project designs and constructs a 150-space parking facility to serve users of the Brunswick Train Station, as part of the 2010 northern expansion of the Downeaster Corridor to Brunswick, Maine. This project will be integral to Maine Street Station, which is now under construction. The proposed parking facility will be used as a park-and-ride for train users and car poolers.

Brunswick - Extension of the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path

$1,621,702

Town of Brunswick
28 Federal Street Brunswick, Maine 04011

This project extends the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path beginning at its current easterly terminus at Grover Lane and constructs an additional 2.6 miles of new paved pathway along the US Route 1 corridor and continuing east to Peterson Lane in Brunswick. This extension is part of a larger 7.21 mile proposed project recommended in a 2004 Maine Department of Transportation funded feasibility study to connect the Androscoggin River Bicycle Path in Brunswick with the Sagadahoc Bridge in Bath. The project and its alignment are consistent with the proposed East Coast Greenway planned route through Maine.

Cobbossee Corridor/Kennebec River Rail Trail Bike/Ped Improvements

$2,890,000

City of Gardiner
6 Church Street Gardiner, ME 04345

This projects extends the regionally significant Kennebec River Rail Trail ("KRRT") to its historic downtown and waterfront areas. The Cobbossee Corridor bike/ped trail segment will connect the current trail head location with downtown Water Street and follow the Cobbossee Stream north to Route 126. The other trail segment will connect Gardiner’s redeveloped Kennebec River downtown waterfront park to the Rail Trail. These trail segments build on the success of the 6.5 KRRT and create better and safer alternative transportation access to the heart of Gardiner’s economic downtown center.

Access Ramp and Interchange from Route 1 to Naval Air Station Brunswick

$12,800,000

Midcoast Regional Redevelopment Authority
5450 Fitch Avenue, Brunswick, Maine 04011

This project creates a new access ramp and interchange from Route 1 to Naval Air Station Brunswick ("NASB") easing congestion on Route 1 and Bath Road. This project will aid in the rapid and successful redevelopment of NASB and provide bike and pedestrian access from Bath Road to the Androscoggin River Bike/Pedestrian path.