November 2003 Referendum
QUESTION 6
THE $63.45 MILLION TRANSPORATION BOND

Question 6, November's $63.45 million bond for transportation has two
components: $60.45 Million for programs administered by the Maine
Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) and $3.0 Million for Lifeflight, a
non-profit entity providing emergency medical helicopter service. This
Fact sheet provides detail on the $60.45 Million for MaineDOT programs.

The $60.45 Million for MaineDOT programs is anticipated to leverage about
$221 Million in federal funds and $18 Million in local funds for statewide
transportation improvements to highways and bridges (including $4.0 Million
for a newly discovered extraordinary need, placement of the Waldo Hancock
Bridge), railroads, airports, port and ferry facilities, trails, and
transit. This bond, with federal matching funds, supports almost half of
MaineDOT's Biennial Transportation Improvement Program (BTIP), a program
that represents hundreds of projects and thousands of jobs statewide. In
summary, the breakdown of bonds funds between the modes of transportation
is as follows.

Highway and Bridge Improvements $ 42,000,000
Rail Improvements 7,850,000
Port and Ferry Improvements 4,550,000
Airport Improvements 3,600,000
Trail Improvements 1,250,000
Transit and Park and Ride Improvements 1,200,000
TOTAL
 $ 60,450,000

 
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS $42.00 Million

$42 Million will match up to $159.0 Million in federal funds and about $
6.0 Million in local funds, to support and highway and bridge programs
statewide. Individual projects are listed in the 2004-05 BTIP. The
original BTIP called for 180 miles of highway reconstruction, 2,060 miles
of highway resurfacing including pavement preservation and maintenance
paving, and improvement of 80 bridges.

Also included in this bond is a $4.0M down payment toward the unplanned
need to replace the Waldo Hancock Bridge near Bucksport, a total need
currently estimated at least $57 Million. The Governor's original bond
request sought $42 M for highways and bridge, and the need to redirect
money toward the Waldo Hancock Bridge will mean a reprioritization of
project delivery statewide, a process that is on-going.

RAIL IMPROVEMENTS $ 7.85 Million

Portland to Brunswick (later Auburn) Passenger Rail Rehabilitation $ 3.00
Million
This $3 Million will match $12.0 Million in Federal funds and $0.4 Million
in local funds for rail right of way and rehabilitation of track
improvements from Portland, to Yarmouth, and on through Freeport to
Brunswick. This project, anticipated to start service in 2007, will allow
further expansion to Auburn.

Montreal Maine & Atlantic $ 2.00 Million
This $2.0 Million will match $2.0 Million in local funds to provide freight
rail preservation in northern and eastern Maine by helping upgrade the rail
line of Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railroad (formerly Bangor and
Aroostook Railroad). This line is critical to industry in central and
northern Maine including Great Northern in Millinocket.

Industrial Rail Access Program (IRAP) $ 2.60 Million
$2.6 Million will match $2.6 Million in local and private funds for rail
infrastructure improvements under the statewide Industrial Rail Access
Program (IRAP). This will continue economic development initiatives already
proven effective under IRAP. Projects include assistance to preserve at
Georgia Pacific in Old Town.

Freight Intermodal Improvements $ 0.25 Million
$0.25 Million will facilitate development of an intermodal state facility
in the Calais area. The project involves acquisition of land, development
of rail sidings, and construction of a warehouse in Calais which will allow
cargo transloading between truck and rail cars for redistribution, bundling
of cargo for outbound shipments, and truck on rail car operations. It will
provide benefits to Port of Eastport and Domtar, Washington County's
largest employer.

PORT AND FERRY IMPROVEMENTS $ 4.55 Million

Replacement of the Ferry Vessel "Governor Curtis" $ 2.00 Million
To match $4.0 million in Federal funds to purchase a new ferry to replace
the 40-year old Governor Curtis serving Vinalhaven. A new vessel will allow
the Governor Curtis to become the much-needed vessel for assuring adequate
levels of service to all the islands served by the Maine State Ferry
Service.

Mack Point Warehousing $1.40 Million
This $1.4 Million will match $1.5 Million in Federal funds to further the
efforts of a public-private partnership to provide warehousing and storage
facilities at the Port of Searsport as a continuation of the successful
Public-Private partnership the Maine Port Authority has developed at Mack
Point. There is currently no warehousing capacity in Searsport. Project
will provide rail and truck served warehousing necessary to meet the needs
of import/export for Maine businesses including Great Northern Paper. This
warehouse is a key element in insuring there is a complete transportation
and cargo handling operation to support the revitalization of this mill.

Small Harbor Improvement Program (SHIP) $ 0.65 Million
$650,000 will provide a match to local municipalities for development of a
wide variety of coastal public access/infrastructure projects. Typical
projects include improvements to piers, floats, boat ramps and shore
stabilization projects. These projects will improve public access to
coastal areas and enhance opportunities for those engaged in commercial
fishing activities. Municipalities match this state investment on a 50/50
match level.



Other Ferry Improvements $ 0.50 Million
$500,000 will provide capital assistance to the Casco Bay Island Transit
District (CBITD) that serves all the ferry needs in Casco Bay, a region
that is not served by the Maine State Ferry Service. The majority of the
CBITD fleet is over its 25-year life span and needs retrofitting to remain
in service.


AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS $ 3.6 Million

This $3.6 million is aimed at supporting 45 projects at 31 airports
statewide. Pending clarification of legislative intent, these funds will
match $29.5 Million in Federal Aviation Administration funds and $1.8
Million in local funds to provide grants for infrastructure improvements to
publicly owned airports statewide. Projects to include runway and taxiway
reconstruction, safety improvements and other enhancements to improve
airport access and enhance economic development in areas served by air,
including hanger development in Aroostook County.


TRAIL, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS $ 1.25 Million

To match $5.0 Million in Federal funds and $1.25 Million in local funds to
continue to develop a variety of trails across the state. Key projects
include the Kenneled Rail Trail, the Eastern and Mountain Division trails,
and support safe ways to schools. These funds promote healthy living by
providing alternatives for exercise.


TRANSIT AND PARK 'N RIDE IMPROVEMENTS $ 1.20 Million

Transit (Buses and related infrastructure) $1.10 Million
Matches $12.4 Million in federal Funds and $1 Million in local funds to
support a transit replacement program for 17 urban and rural transit
providers statewide in addition to conversion to clean fueled fleets to
improve air quality, reduce congestion and to provide state funded vehicles
to support seasonal industries. This support initiatives like the very
successful Island Explorer at Acadia National Park.

Park 'n Ride Facilities $0.10 Million

To match $200,000 in Federal funds to build and enhance Park and Ride lots
statewide. Park and Ride lots encourage ridesharing and vanpooling and
reduce congestion. The current Park and Ride lots are heavily used and are
an effective investment to reduce the need for expanded highways. Priority
is given to Park and Rides that support other modes of transportation or
impact areas that experience pollution and congestion.

Updated on October 7, 2003 by Kenyon F. Karl <Kenyon_Karl@mail.com>.

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