We are now deep in the legislative session and in need of your help! Do not let the State of Maine remove our most important transportation infrastructure. There are several critical rail bills that we need you to contact your state representatives regarding:           

No on LD 29 and LD 30 – These bills would allow the state to tear out the tracks on the Lower Road (Brunswick to Augusta) and the Saint Lawrence and Atlantic Line (from the Ocean Gateway in Portland to Auburn). This bill opens up the land to build the Casco Bay Trail. We do not support the Casco Bay Trail.

Both of those lines can be used immediately for local short-line freight service and thus be preserved additionally for passenger services. Maine State Switching has already submitted a proposal for the lower road, in part necessitated by their use of the Rockland Branch. Other rail providers are interested in the St. Lawrence and Atlantic line.   

Yes on LD 487 – this bill would allow the state to apply for a corridor ID grant, which in three steps using mostly federal funding would create a “service development plan” which is all that would be needed to begin the actual improvements needed for service from Portland to Bangor/Orono. While DOT has not been honest about this bill, the truth is that the first step requires NO state money, and steps 2 and 3 will require minimal state money.

Direct links to these bills are listed at the bottom of this page.  

The Maine Rail Group has already paid for and will have available all the data needed for a successful state application by the Maine Rail Authority (NNEPRA)– the Critical Insights Poll showing statewide majority support for the proposal, and the Rail Passengers Association Cost Benefit Analysis to be released May 15. Extension to Bangor is in the State Rail Plan in 2027, and the service development plan will then meet that deadline.        

How you can help:     
We need your help in fighting LD 29 and 30, and supporting LD 487! We urge you to contact your representatives: they DO listen, they just need to hear the voices of their constituents. You do not need to write a long statement, for example:

“As a resident of (your town) I want to see options in transportation for Maine, therefore I urge you to oppose LD 29 and 30, and to support LD 487. Maine needs more rail service for both freight and passengers to provide a balanced transit system and save the cost of additional roads.”   

Click here for the contact list of Maine legislative members in your community.

LD 29
Resolve, to Require the Department of Transportation to Implement the Recommendations of the Lower Road Rail Use Advisory Council

LD 30
Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation to Implement the Recommendations of the Portland to Auburn Rail Use Advisory Council Regarding the Rail Line from Portland to Yarmouth

LD 487
Resolve, Directing the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to Apply for Federal Funding for the Purpose of Identifying the Rail Corridor Connecting Portland to Orono as an Intercity Passenger Rail Corrido