REGIONAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS for the AVCOG REGION
October 31, 2006
Introduction At the request of the Maine Department of Transportation, the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments has developed a prioritized list of the most important multimodal Regional Strategic Investments in the AVCOG region (Androscoggin, Franklin and part of Oxford counties). MDOT has defined “Regional Strategic Investments” to mean multimodal transportation improvements of regional or statewide significance that cannot expect to be funded through traditional state funding mechanisms, such as the Biennial Capital Work Plan (formerly called BTIP). This list of Regional Strategic Investments is not intended to represent all of the transportation needs or opportunities within the AVCOG region; those needs are broad and far reaching. This list identifies the order of importance among the highest priority transportation needs and opportunities in the region. The list of Regional Strategic Investments is intended to be comprehensive and includes many high-priority projects from the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center (ATRC). Although the ATRC is responsible for transportation planning within the metropolitan area of Auburn, Lewiston, Lisbon and part of Sabattus, the AVCOG Executive Committee determined that the ATRC priority projects are of significant regional interest and opted to include them as Regional Strategic Investments.
Methodology The AVCOG Transportation Committee worked throughout the summer of 2006 to develop a list of transportation projects that meet the definition of strategic investment for the AVCOG region. The Transportation Committee reviewed transportation plans and studies completed by AVCOG, RTAC 7, ATRC and MDOT from 1972 to 2005, to determine the region’s transportation priorities (see attached list of Supporting Documentation). When culling the list, the Committee focused on the highest priority projects of regional and/or statewide significance. The public participation process for this planning effort was extensive. Input was provided by the Western Maine Managers Association, the ATRC Policy Committee, the ATRC Technical Committee and the general public in attendance at those meetings. At AVCOG’s Fifth Annual Transportation Day conference on September 15, 2006, attendees were asked to place five tally marks on the Regional Strategic Investments they felt are the most important to the AVCOG region. More than thirty people participated in this non-binding process. Subsequent to that conference, the AVCOG Transportation Committee reviewed the voting results from Transportation Day, considered the relevance of those results and established a rank order for the strategic investments. The Transportation Committee forwarded its ranking to the AVCOG Executive Committee for consideration. In addition to personnel from AVCOG, MaineDOT, Maine Turnpike Authority, and the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 60 people participated in this planning process. Several news articles were published by regional media during this process as well.
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The Regional Strategic Investments were prioritized by the AVCOG Executive Committee in order to determine their degree of importance within the region. The Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities. Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list. MaineDOT requested that the projects be categorized into the following types: Policy, Planning/Studies, Capital Improvements. The categories are identified in parenthesis following the title of each Regional Strategic Investment. The following projects were prioritized by the AVCOG Executive Committee in order to determine their degree of importance within the region.
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Mode
Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6
Highway
Multi-Modal
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 1 1 2 3
Transit
4 5 6 7 1
Aviation 2
Rail
1 2 3 4
Strategic Investment Eliminate Arterial and Major Collector Backlog on Route 26, between Poland and New Hampshire (Capita Improvementl) Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to Maine Turnpike (Capital Improve.) Reconstruct Town Farm Road in Farmington to Accommodate Heavy Truck Traffic (Capital Improvement) Reconstruct Route 2 in Gilead to National Highway System Standard (Capital) Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 2 (Capital Improvement) Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 4, between Farmington and Rangeley (C) Realign Route 2 in Rumford to more efficiently move traffic through Rumford into downtown Mexico (Planning/Study and Capital Improvement) Reconstruct Route 4 between Bridge Street in Livermore Falls and Riley Road in Jay (Capital Improvement) Improve Mobility on Route 2 through Skowhegan (Capital Improvement) Reconstruct Route 9 in Lisbon and Sabattus (Capital Improvement) Construct Route 26 Bypass in Woodstock (Planning/Study) Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 27, between Farmington and Eustis(Cap.) Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 4, between Auburn and Wilton (Capital) Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 26, between Oxford and Bethel (Capital) Improve Scenic Byway Turn-Out on Route 17 at Height of Lands-TWP D (C) Establish Visitor Information Center/Full-Service Rest Area in Bethel(Capital) Passenger Intermodal Facility (Kittyhawk Avenue, Auburn) (Capital Imp.) Establish daily transit services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn (P & C) Upgrade transit services in Carrabassett Valley (Capital Improvement) Establish New Daily Transit Services between Rumford/Mexico and Lewiston/Auburn (Planning/Study and Capital Improvement) Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Farmington (Capital Improvement) Establish Seasonal Transit Services between Carrabassett Valley and Lewiston/Auburn (Captial Improvement) Est. New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn & Bethel (Pl & C) Establish New Daily Transit Services between Bethel and Farmington (Pl & C) Construct New Taxiway at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport (Capital Imp.) Establish Western Maine Lakes & Mountains Regional Airport in Franklin County (Capital Improvement) Establish rail connection on St. Lawrence & Atlantic Rail Line, between Portland train station and Yarmouth Junction (Capital Improvement) Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn (Pol,P @ C) Establish rail connection in Auburn, between St. Lawrence & Atlantic and Lewiston-Auburn railroad (Capital Improvement) Lewiston Lower Branch Acquisition (Policy and Capital Improvement)
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Moose River Dennistown Plt
Brassua Twp
Tomhegan Twp
Rockwood Strip T2 R1 NBKP Rockwood Strip T1 R1 NBKP Sandbar Tract Twp Taunton & Raynham Academy Grant Twp Long Pond Twp Sandwich Academy Grant Twp
Regional Strategic Investments for the AVCOG Region (See Companion Map for Urban Area Investments) Forsyth Twp
Gorham Gore
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Jackman
Misery Gore Twp
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Attean Twp Lowelltown Twp
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Holeb Twp Misery Twp Parlin Pond Twp
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Chase Stream Twp Indian Stream Twp
Johnson Mountain Twp Upper Enchanted Twp Hobbstown Twp T5 R6 BKP WKR
Merrill Strip Twp Skinner Twp
Squaretown Twp
Coburn Gore West Forks Plt Lower Enchanted Twp
Kibby Twp Chain of Ponds Twp Massachusetts Gore
T3 R5 BKP WKR King & Bartlett Twp
East Moxie Twp
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Establish Daily Transit Services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn
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Raymond Windham Gorham
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Naples
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Upgrade Route 26
Upgrade Route 4
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Establish Park & Ride Stow lots on Route 26
China
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Vassalboro
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West Paris
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Greenwood
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Establish Park & Ride lots on Route 4
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Woodstock
Fayette Mount Vernon Livermore Falls Readfield
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Gilead
Oakland Waterville
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Riley Twp
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Improve Mobility on Route 2 through Skowhegan
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Wilton
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Mexico
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Andover North Surplus
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Realign Route 2 in Rumford Reconstruct Town Farm Upton Road in Farmington C Surplus !
H a m p s h i r e
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Improve Scenic Turnout at Height of Lands
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Public Airports MSA Interconnected Trail System Woolwich Railroads Highways Bath Major/Urban Collectors Brunswick Minor West Bath Arterials Arrowsic Principal Arterials Georgetown Harpswell Phippsburg Interstate !
Topsham
Regional Strategic Investments for the Urban Portion of the AVCOG Region Buckfield Leeds
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Turner
Hebron
Monmouth
Greene
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Wales Lake Auburn
Minot
126
Downtown Connector
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Mainline Rail Connection
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§ ¦ ¨ 95
Sabattus
Lewiston
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Auburn Poland
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Passenger Intermodal Facility
Route 9 Improvements Airport Parallel Taxi-way
196
Lisbon
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§ ¦ ¨ 95
Bowdoin
Lewiston Lower Branch Acquisition
Daily Transit between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn
Topsham
Durham New Gloucester Brunswick Gray
Pownal
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Freeport
HIGHWAY INVESTMENTS 1. Eliminate Arterial and Major Collector Backlog on Route 26, between Poland and New Hampshire (Capital Improvement) Why? This backlog arterial highway is part of the National Highway System and has sections that are in extremely poor condition. This highway provides a critical link between New Hampshire and the greater Portland area. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 2. Downtown Connector to Maine Turnpike (Capital Improvement) Why? Serves as regional connector and coastal connector, provides for north/south movement around Auburn and Lewiston Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Highest priority project in ATRC’s long-range plan 3. Reconstruct Town Farm Road in Farmington to Accommodate Heavy Truck Traffic (Capital Improvement) Why? This road serves as a bypass of downtown Farmington and the University of Maine Farmington campus and would be an ideal truck route if reconstructed to higher functional classification standards. Poland Spring Bottling Company has expressed an interest in using Town Farm Road, rather than traveling through downtown Farmington, to reach its proposed bottling facility in Kingfield. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: 4. Reconstruct Route 2 in Gilead to National Highway System Standard (Capital Improvement) Why? This six-mile (approximately) section of National Highway System highway, between Gilead and Bethel, is perched on a steep valley wall between two mountains and the Androscoggin River. Located adjacent to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, the highway has deteriorating surface, sharp horizontal curves, northern exposure and is narrow. This reconstruction project (PIN 9184.20) was slated for construction by MDOT but was canceled in March 2005 due to the estimated $20 million price tag. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Can-Am Corridor • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature).
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5. Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 2 (Capital Improvement) Why? This highway serves as a lifeline to the region and state for both freight and passenger movement yet there are substandard and dangerous conditions along this corridor. This highway provides access to the region’s largest natural resource-based employers: the New Age paper mill in Rumford and the International Paper mill in Jay. The state is promoting the Grafton Notch Bicycle Loop which runs through Rumford on Route 2. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Can-Am Corridor • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 6. Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 4, between Farmington and Rangeley (Capital Improvement) Why? This is a backlog arterial highway with sections that are in extremely poor condition where the state is promoting uses that conflict with the natural resource-based truck traffic through promotion of the Franklin Heritage Loop bicycle tour and the federally-designated Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 7. Realign Route 2 in Rumford to more efficiently move traffic through Rumford into downtown Mexico (Planning & Study, Capital Improvement) Why? To reroute heavy trucks and through traffic out of the residential neighborhoods on Hancock Street and to improve roadway and traffic flow. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Can-Am Corridor • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 8. Reconstruct Route 4 between Bridge Street in Livermore Falls and Riley Road in Jay (Capital Improvement) Why? This arterial highway reconstruction project (PIN 10018 and PIN 26826) has been engineered by MDOT but the construction continues to be delayed. This project is essential to the vitality of Route 4 because of the project area’s proximity to major employers (e.g. the Wausau and International Paper mills) and the fact that Route 4 is a commuter route for students and workers. The condition of utilities in the right-of-way are extremely poor and timing and
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coordination of pipe replacement is essential to making this project cost-effective for the towns of Jay and Livermore Falls. Failure of this road (e.g. sink holes akin to Lisbon Street in Lewiston in June 2006) are anticipated due to the antiquated stormwater infrastructure in this project area. The towns of Jay and Livermore Falls have lost grant money to assist with replacement of underground utilities in conjunction with this highway project because of construction timing delays. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 9. Improve Mobility on Route 2 through Skowhegan (Capital Improvement) Why? The delays and obstacles created by the existing bridge and highway alignment create limitations and delays to the movement of products and people in Western Maine. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Can-Am Corridor • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 10. Reconstruct Route 9 in Lisbon and Sabattus (Capital Improvement) Why? Road serves as critical link between Maine Turnpike exit 86 and the eastern portion of region. Have letter of commitment from Commissioner Melrose to complete reconstruction of this arterial highway. PIN 10017. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). • High priority project for ATRC 11. Construct Route 26 Bypass in Woodstock (Planning & Studies) Why? A bypass of Route 26, beginning at the top of Merrifield Hill and around Bryant Pond Village, would allow for safer travel on this section of National Highway System. Current concerns in Bryant Pond include a steep hill into the village from the south with a reduced speed limit at the bottom of the hill, a hairpin turn in the village center, setback encroachments by historic village buildings, unusually close proximity to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad mainline and overflow parking on Route 26 for the local baseball field. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • MDOT committed to funding this study in 2005 • This project (PIN 12801) is included in the FY 2005-2008 STIP for funding in 2008
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12. Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 27, between Farmington and Eustis (Capital Improvement) Why? This backlog arterial highway is a major tourist route which substandard sections and extremely high volumes of truck traffic (36% northbound in 2005) where the state is promoting tourism through the Franklin Heritage Loop bicycle tour and the Route 27 Scenic Byway. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • 1999 legislative mandate to eliminate the arterial backlog in 10 years (“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.”- 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature). 13. Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 4, between Auburn and Wilton (Capital Improvement) Why? There are no MDOT Park & Ride lots on Route 4, between Auburn and Wilton, however this is a commuter route for employees and students. The informal lots that currently exist in this corridor (in 2004, there were 6 known informal commuter lots on private property) indicates there is a regional demand not currently being met. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Maine’s Park & Ride Lots: Evaluation and Strengthening the System report prepared for the MDOT and Maine Turnpike Authority in January 2004, recommends “consider creating new Park & Ride lots on Route 4 between Auburn and Wilton”. 14. Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 26, between Oxford and Bethel (Capital Improvement) Why? There are no MDOT Park & Ride lots on Route 26, between Oxford and Bethel, however this is a commuter route for employees and students. The informal lots that currently exist in this corridor (in 2004, there were 3 known informal commuter lots on private property) indicates there is a regional demand not currently being met. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Maine’s Park & Ride Lots: Evaluation and Strengthening the System report prepared for the MDOT and Maine Turnpike Authority in January 2004, recommends “consider creating new Park & Ride lots on Route 26 between Oxford and Bethel”. 15. Improve Scenic Byway Turn-Out on Route 17 at Height of Lands in TWP D (Capital Improvement) Why? This project, PIN 8607.20, was deferred by MDOT in 2006, but is a critical investment to the Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Per the FERMATA 2005 Strategic Plan for Implementing the Maine Nature Tourism Initiative
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16. Establish Visitor Information Center/Full-Service Rest Area in Bethel (Capital Improvement) Why? This VIC would be a combined facility with the U.S. Forest Service. Bethel is the western gateway to Maine on Route 2, is a tourist destination and is in close proximity to the Route 26 Scenic Byway. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Per MDOT/DECD’s 2002 A Plan for Maine’s State Visitor Information Centers • Per the FERMATA 2005 Strategic Plan for Implementing the Maine Nature Tourism Initiative MULTI-MODAL INVESTMENTS 1. Passenger Intermodal Facility (Kittyhawk Avenue, Auburn) (Capital Improvement) Why? Increases passenger opportunities for connections between citylink, passenger rail service and Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport in vicinity of Maine Turnpike. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • RTAC 7’s 2002 Regional Advisory Report (“development of passenger rail use, including connections to public transit system” – pg 3) • ATRC’s long-range plan supports this investment as a priority project • Executive Order 22 FY 06/07 – An Order to Strengthen the Community and Economic Impact of Amtrak’s Downeaster Service, and to Advance Plans for Passenger Rail Service North of Portland TRANSIT INVESTMENTS 1. Establish daily transit services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn (Planning & Capital Improvement) Why? New residential growth in Western Maine is causing an increase in the number of commuters traveling between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Greenhouse gas emissions • Smart Growth 2. Upgrade transit services in Carrabassett Valley (Capital Improvement) Why? Currently, this seasonal transit system is operated by Sugarloaf USA, with financial support from the Town of Carrabassett Valley. A 2006 feasibility study recommends that this service be transformed into a seasonal, public transit service. Commuter potential exists to Eustis, Farmington and Kingfield. This transit service should be integrated into the state’s ExploreMaine transit system (Island Explorer-Mt. Desert Island/Acadia National Park, Mountain Explorer-Bethel, Portland Explorer and Shoreline Explorer-York County). Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • ExploreMaine • Greenhouse gas emissions • Smart Growth
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3. Establish New Daily Transit Services between Rumford/Mexico and Lewiston/Auburn (Planning & Capital Improvement) Why? Provide transit options for commuters, students and medical patients between these Service Centers. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Greenhouse gas emissions • Smart Growth 4. Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Farmington (Capital Improvement) Why? Provide transit options for commuters, students and medical patients between these Service Centers. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Greenhouse gas emissions • Smart Growth 5. Establish Seasonal Transit Services between Carrabassett Valley and Lewiston/Auburn (Capital Improvement) Why? Provide alternative mode of intercity travel for tourists destined for Carrabassett Valley. This service would connect to passenger rail in Auburn, to the Auburn Passenger Intermodal Facility and the Town of Carrabassett Valley’s public transit system. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Identified for funding in 2006-2008 STIP 6. Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Bethel (Planning & Capital Improvement) Why? Provide transit option for commuters, students and medical patients between these Service Centers as well as to the Oxford Hills region. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Greenhouse gas emissions • Smart Growth 7. Establish New Daily Transit Services between Bethel and Farmington (Planning & Capital Improvement) Why? Provide transit options for commuters, students and medical patients between these Service Centers. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Greenhouse gas emissions • Smart Growth AVIATION INVESTMENTS 1. Construct New Taxiway at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport (Capital Improvement) Why? Increases capacity and safety at this Level I aviation facility which is seeing increased traffic due to increased economic development in the Lewiston/Auburn area. Increases safety by providing area dedicated to taxiing aircraft and improves airport efficiency by allowing aircraft to land or take off while others are taxiing.
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Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • 2006 Maine Aviation Systems Plan Update identifies the Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport as a Level I System Airport. The 2006 Maine Aviation Systems Plan Update’s facility and service objectives include “full parallel” taxiway for Level I system airports. • RTAC 7’s 2002 Regional Advisory Report (“support of general aviation as an important part of the region’s air transportation system” – pg 3) • Priority project in ATRC long-range plan 2. Establish Western Maine Lakes & Mountains Regional Airport in Franklin County (Capital Improvement) Why? Provides improvement to the region’s air transportation system in Franklin County to become an appropriate and effective alternative to automobile transportation. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Per Maine Aviation Systems Plan • RTAC 7’s 2002 Regional Advisory Report (“support of general aviation as an important part of the region’s air transportation system” – pg 3)
RAIL INVESTMENTS 1. Establish rail connection between Portland train station and Yarmouth Junction (Capital Improvement) Why? Need to create this connection in order to extend passenger rail along the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad to Auburn and Montreal. High-Speed Rail designation has been extended to Auburn, this is a critical investment which supports the proposed Auburn Passenger Intermodal Facility and international passenger rail efforts. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • RTAC 7’s 2002 Regional Advisory Report (“development of freight rail use” and “development of passenger rail use” – pg 3) • Executive Order 22 FY 06/07 – An Order to Strengthen the Community and Economic Impact of Amtrak’s Downeaster Service, and to Advance Plans for Passenger Rail Service North of Portland 2. Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn (Policy, Planning & Capital Improvement) Why? In order to reduce both vehicle miles traveled and truck traffic on the region’s highways we need to have a rail line that is constructed to a standard which meets international weight limits. This designation allows for establishment of high-speed freight rail service and highspeed passenger rail service between Portland and Montreal. The SLA rail line between Portland and Auburn currently is a high-speed rail corridor. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • Reduce VMTs, reduce truck traffic on highways, increase modal choices for freight and passenger movement. • RTAC 7’s 2002 Regional Advisory Report (“development of freight rail use” and “development of passenger rail use” – pg 3) • ATRC’s long-range plan supports this investment as a priority project
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• •
MDOT submitted request to Maine congressional delegation on March 18, 2003, requesting assistance in extending the high-speed rail designation on the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Line from Auburn to the Canadian border Executive Order 22 FY 06/07 – An Order to Strengthen the Community and Economic Impact of Amtrak’s Downeaster Service, and to Advance Plans for Passenger Rail Service North of Portland
3. Establish rail connection in Auburn, between St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad and Lewiston Auburn Railroad (Capital Improvement) Why? The project involves laying one mile of track to connect the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad to the Lewiston Auburn Railroad. This connection is necessary to avoid current and future operational conflicts and to accommodate the growth of the Port of Auburn and the Foreign Trade Zone. This project is essential to the improvement of the existing Freight Intermodal Facility in Auburn and to the eventual passenger rail service. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • ATRC’s long-range plan supports this investment as a priority investment • Executive Order 22 FY 06/07 – An Order to Strengthen the Community and Economic Impact of Amtrak’s Downeaster Service, and to Advance Plans for Passenger Rail Service North of Portland 4. Lewiston Lower Branch Acquisition (Policy and Capital Improvement) Why? The Lewiston Lower Branch runs between Brunswick and Lewiston. In 1992, MDOT bought from Guilford the track between Brunswick and Lisbon Falls. Guilford reserved the freight rights but has not provided service to potential customers. In 1998, MDOT announced it would devote $6 million of a state bond issue to purchase the segment still owned by Guilford and restart operation of the rail line from Brunswick to Lewiston. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the bond funds were obligated to another project and the remaining rail line was not acquired by MDOT. The Lewiston Lower Road creates a critical east-west link between the St. Lawrence & Atlantic and Guilford rail lines. Statewide or Regional Policies Addressed by Investment: • RTAC 7’s 2002 Regional Advisory Report (“development of freight rail use” and “development of passenger rail use” – pg 3) • ATRC’s long-range plan supports this investment as a priority investment • Executive Order 22 FY 06/07 – An Order to Strengthen the Community and Economic Impact of Amtrak’s Downeaster Service, and to Advance Plans for Passenger Rail Service North of Portland
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Regional Corridor Priorities Maine Economic Development District: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Priority Corridor: Overall AVCOG Ranking RANK*
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT
CORRIDOR(S) Policy Issues
2 4
Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn Lewiston Lower Branch Acquisition
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Planning Activities
1 11 2 3 6 7 1 2 3
Establish Daily Transit Services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn Construct Route 26 Bypass in Woodstock Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn Establish New Daily Transit Services between Rumford/Mexico and Lewiston/Auburn Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Bethel Establish New Daily Transit Services between Bethel and Farmington Capital Needs Eliminate Arterial and Major Collector Backlog on Route 26, between Poland and New Hampshire Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to Maine Turnpike Reconstruct Town Farm Road in Farmington to Accommodate Heavy Truck Traffic
4
Reconstruct Route 2 in Gilead to National Highway System Standard
5 6
Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 2 Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 4, between Farmington and Rangeley Realign Route 2 in Rumford to more efficiently move traffic through Rumford into downtown Mexico Reconstruct Route 4 between Bridge Street in Livermore Falls and Riley Road in Jay Improve Mobility on Route 2 through Skowhegan Reconstruct Route 9 in Lisbon and Sabattus Construct Route 26 Bypass in Woodstock Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 27, between Farmington and Eustis Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 4, between Auburn and Wilton
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor East-West Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor & Corridors of Western Mountains Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor & Corridors of the Western Mountains & East-West Corridor East-West Corridor Corridors of the Western Mountains East-West Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor East-West Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Corridors of the Western Mountains Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor
14 15 16 1
Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 26, between Oxford and Bethel Improve Scenic Byway Turn-Out on Route 17 at Height of Lands in TWP D Establish Visitor Information Center/Full-Service Rest Area in Bethel Passenger Intermodal Facility (Kittyhawk Avenue, Auburn)
1 1
Establish Daily Transit Services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn Construct New Taxiway at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport Establish Rail Connection on St. Lawrence & Atlantic Rail Line, between Portland train station and Yarmouth Junction
1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Corridors of the Western Mountains Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North
Upgrade Transit Services in Carrabassett Valley Establish Western Maine Lakes & Mountains Regional Airport in Franklin County Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn Establish Rail Connection in Auburn, between St. Lawrence & Atlantic and Lewiston-Auburn railroad Establish New Daily Transit Services between Rumford/Mexico and Lewiston/Auburn Lewiston Lower Branch Acquisition Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Farmington Establish Seasonal Transit Services between Carrabassett Valley and Lewiston/Auburn Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Bethel Establish New Daily Transit Services between Bethel and Farmington
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North
Corridors of the Western Mountains Corridors of the Western Mountains Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the North & Corridors of the Western Mountains Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor East-West Corridor
* The AVCOG Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; • Rank numbers refer to the overall AVCOG ranking; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities. Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list.
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Regional Corridor Priorities Maine Economic Development District: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Priority Corridor: Regional-Interregional RANK* STRATEGIC INVESTMENT Planning Activities 1 Establish Daily Transit Services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn Capital Needs 2 Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to Maine Turnpike
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor & Corridors of the Western Mountains & East-West Corridor
4
Reconstruct Route 2 in Gilead to National Highway System Standard
10 1
Reconstruct Route 9 in Lisbon and Sabattus Passenger Intermodal Facility (Kittyhawk Avenue, Auburn)
1 1
Establish Daily Transit Services between Portland and Lewiston/Auburn Construct New Taxiway at Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport Establish Rail Connection on St. Lawrence & Atlantic Rail Line, between Portland train station and Yarmouth Junction
1 3 4 5
CORRIDOR(S)
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North
Establish Rail Connection in Auburn, between St. Lawrence & Atlantic and Lewiston-Auburn railroad Lewiston Lower Branch Acquisition Establish Seasonal Transit Services between Carrabassett Valley and Lewiston/Auburn
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North Lewiston/Auburn to the North & Corridors of the Western Mountains
* The AVCOG Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; • Rank numbers refer to the overall AVCOG ranking; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities. Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list.
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Regional Corridor Priorities Maine Economic Development District: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Priority Corridor: East-West Corridor RANK* 7 5 7 9 7
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT Planning Activities Establish New Daily Transit Services between Bethel and Farmington Capital Needs Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 2 Realign Route 2 in Rumford to more efficiently move traffic through Rumford into downtown Mexico Improve Mobility on Route 2 through Skowhegan Establish New Daily Transit Services between Bethel and Farmington
CORRIDOR(S) East-West Corridor East-West Corridor East-West Corridor East-West Corridor East-West Corridor
* The AVCOG Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; • Rank numbers refer to the overall AVCOG ranking; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities. Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list.
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Regional Corridor Priorities Maine Economic Development District: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Priority Corridor: Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor RANK* STRATEGIC INVESTMENT CORRIDOR(S) Planning Activities 3 Establish New Daily Transit Services between Rumford/Mexico and Lewiston/Auburn Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor Capital Needs 3 Reconstruct Town Farm Road in Farmington to Accommodate Heavy Truck Traffic Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor 8 Reconstruct Route 4 between Bridge Street in Livermore Falls and Riley Road in Jay Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor 13 Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 4, between Auburn and Wilton Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor 3 Establish New Daily Transit Services between Rumford/Mexico and Lewiston/Auburn Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor 4 Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Farmington Lewiston/Auburn to the North Corridor 5 Establish Seasonal Transit Services between Carrabassett Valley and Lewiston/Auburn Lewiston/Auburn to the North & Corridors of the Western Mountains * The AVCOG Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; • Rank numbers refer to the overall AVCOG ranking; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities.
Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list.
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Regional Corridor Priorities Maine Economic Development District: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Priority Corridor: Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor RANK* STRATEGIC INVESTMENT 2 Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn Planning Activities 1 Eliminate Arterial and Major Collector Backlog on Route 26, between Poland and New Hampshire 4
Reconstruct Route 2 in Gilead to National Highway System Standard
11 2 3 6 14 16
Construct Route 26 Bypass in Woodstock Extend Designation of High-Speed Rail Corridor north of Auburn Establish Rail Connection in Auburn, between St. Lawrence & Atlantic and Lewiston-Auburn railroad Establish New Daily Transit Services between Lewiston/Auburn and Bethel Establish Park & Ride Lots on Route 26, between Oxford and Bethel Establish Visitor Information Center/Full-Service Rest Area in Bethel
CORRIDOR(S) Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor & Corridors of the Western Mountains & East-West Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest & Lewiston/Auburn to the North Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor
* The AVCOG Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; • Rank numbers refer to the overall AVCOG ranking; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities. Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list.
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Regional Corridor Priorities Maine Economic Development District: Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments Priority Corridor: Corridors of the Western Mountains RANK*
STRATEGIC INVESTMENT
CORRIDOR(S) Capital Needs
4
Reconstruct Route 2 in Gilead to National Highway System Standard
6 12 15 2 2 5
Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 4, between Farmington and Rangeley Eliminate Arterial Backlog on Route 27, between Farmington and Eustis Improve Scenic Byway Turn-Out on Route 17 at Height of Lands in TWP D Upgrade Transit Services in Carrabassett Valley Establish Western Maine Lakes & Mountains Regional Airport in Franklin County Establish Seasonal Transit Services between Carrabassett Valley and Lewiston/Auburn
Lewiston/Auburn to the Northwest Corridor & Corridors of the Western Mountains & East-West Corridor Corridors of the Western Mountains Corridors of the Western Mountains Corridors of the Western Mountains Corridors of the Western Mountains Corridors of the Western Mountains Lewiston/Auburn to the North & Corridors of the Western Mountains
* The AVCOG Executive Committee determined that: • Highway investments are the most important in the region; • Elimination of the highway backlog has been and continues to be the highest priority in this region; • Rank numbers refer to the overall AVCOG ranking; and • AVCOG reserves the right to modify the list, dependent upon the use of the list, available funding or changes to the region’s priorities. Additionally, the Executive Committee specified that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, a fiscal commitment has been made to this strategic investment. Therefore other strategic investments in Auburn and Lewiston, such as improvements to Route 196, are not included as these needs are dealt with in the Downtown Connector project. If the funding necessary to complete the Downtown Connector improvements is lacking or disappears, then the Executive Committee will review the prioritization as the Auburn and Lewiston strategic investments would need to be added to the list.
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AVCOG Regional Strategic Investment Project Public Participation Efforts 2006 The following meetings were held to discuss and receive input relative to the Regional Strategic Investment Project: •
June 21, 2006 – The Regional Strategic Investment Project was introduced to the AVCOG Executive Committee at its regularly scheduled meeting. It was explained that the Executive Committee will be asked to endorse a prioritized list of strategic investments for submission to MDOT by October 31, 2006. MDOT is defining Strategic Investments as multimodal transportation improvements that cannot expect to be funded through traditional funding mechanisms, such as the Biennial Capital Work Plan (formerly called BTIP).
•
July 14, 2006 – Met with Western Maine Managers Association. Received valuable input and recommendations for additional investments that should be added to the regional list.
•
July 26, 2006 – AVCOG Transportation Committee met in Auburn to begin discussing the strategic investment project. Additional investments were discussed and added to the list. The committee had a good discussion with Duane Scott from MDOT about the primary purpose of this task (supplemental funding and state’s long-range plan).
•
July 31, 2006 – Prepared article for the August AVCOG newsletter announcing the strategic investment project and advising that public participation is important to the success of this initiative.
•
August 9, 2006 – Discussion with Livermore Falls Town Manager about infrastructure needs in Jay and Livermore Falls.
•
August 16, 2006 – AVCOG Executive Committee reviewed and discussed a draft list of regional strategic investments.
•
August 17, 2006 – Telephone conversations with Mexico Town Manager and Rumford Town Manager about the draft investment to reroute or bypass Route 2 in Rumford-Mexico. Also placed call to an Oxford County Commissioner to discuss this draft investment (no reply, left message).
•
August 18, 2006 – Email communication with Minot Town Manager about the Downtown Connector and potential impacts, if any, to Minot.
•
August 22, 2006 – Sun Journal article about Rumford Board of Selectmen’s meeting announced the time and location of the 8/23/06 Transportation Committee meeting.
21
•
August 23, 2006 – AVCOG Transportation Committee met in Rumford to discuss the TELUS scoring system and its application for this project. Had good discussion about traffic flow in and around Rumford and Mexico. Agreed to change the strategic investment relative to Route 2 in Rumford such that it supports traffic flow along Route 2 through downtown Mexico.
•
August 24, 2006 – ATRC Policy Committee meeting discussed the draft list of strategic investments, the ATRC’s role in the process and integration of ATRC priority projects with regional priorities.
•
September 6, 2006 – AVCOG Transportation Committee met in Rumford to further discuss the strategic investments and prepare for the AVCOG Transportation Day conference on September 15th. Agreed to take Crash Road reconstruction in Jay off the list of strategic investments and to add the main line rail connection between the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad and the Lewiston-Auburn Railroad in Auburn.
•
September 14, 2006 – ATRC Technical Committee reviewed the draft list of strategic investments and discussed the relationship of regional strategic investments to ATRC priorities.
•
September 15, 2006 – Fifth annual AVCOG Transportation Day conference in Auburn. MDOT Deputy Commissioner Greg Nadeau, as keynote speaker, discussed fiscal realities for transportation investments in Maine and how the regional strategic investments relate to state’s 20-year long-range transportation plan.
•
September 28, 2006 – ATRC Policy Committee will meet to discuss the voting results from Transportation Day and evaluate how the results compared to ATRC infrastructure priorities.
•
October 12, 2006 – AVCOG Transportation Committee met to establish a rank order for 30 Strategic Investments in this region. The Transportation Committee determined that the region’s Highway System is the most important mode of transportation in this region. Further, the Transportation Committee unanimously agreed that the highway backlog continues to be the most important issue in this region and that the highway backlog must be eliminated. The Transportation Committee reviewed the voting results from the September 15, 2006 Transportation Day conference and reached consensus about strategic investment prioritization. Transportation Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the AVCOG Executive Committee endorse the priority ranking of the Regional Strategic Investments.
•
October 18, 2006 – AVCOG Executive Committee met to review the Transportation Committee’s prioritization recommendation and formally endorse a priority order of strategic investments for the AVCOG region. The Executive Committee agreed that highway strategic investments are more important than all other modes. Since federal funding is likely to become available from federal agencies by transportation mode, it was agreed that all strategic investments should be prioritized by mode. It was noted that, although the Lewiston/Auburn Downtown Connector to the Maine Turnpike ranks second among highway strategic investments, monetary/fiscal commitment has been made to the Downtown
22
Connector and Route 196 is not in the list because it is dependent on the Downtown Connector. This is a working list that will be revisited as often as necessary, at a minimum of once a year. •
October 26, 2006 – ATRC Policy Committee met to review the AVCOG Executive Committee’s endorsed list of prioritized Regional Strategic Investment Projects. ATRC unanimously voted to accept the list.
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AVCOG REGIONAL STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PROJECT ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS – 2006 AVCOG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – June 21, 2006 Raymond Glover, Town of Paris Stephen Brown, Town of Carthage John Johnson, Town of Jay Richard Davis, Town of Farmington Richard Metivier, City of Lewiston David Duguay, Oxford County Phil Nadeau, City of Lewiston Stephen Eldridge, Town of Rumford Peter Nielsen, Town of Wilton Daniel Feeney, Town of Lisbon
WESTERN MAINE MANAGERS ASSOCIATION – July 14, 2006 Dave Morton, Town of Casco Don Craig, ATRC Mike Thorne, Town of Harrison Richard Davis, Town of Farmington Joan Walton, AVCOG Perry Ellsworth, Town of Rangeley Don Willard, Town of Raymond Glen Holmes, Town of Buckfield Ruth Marden, Town of Jay
AVCOG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – July 26, 2006 Rep. Arlan R. Jodrey, District 91, Bethel Stephen Brown, Town of Carthage John Johnson, Town of Jay Don Craig, ATRC Norman Putnam, Town of Woodstock Glenn Gordon, Western Maine Duane Scott, MaineDOT Transportation Services, Inc. Joan Walton, AVCOG David Guernsey, Town of Kingfield
AVCOG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – August 16, 2006 Ferg Lea, AVCOG William Birney, Town of West Paris John Madigan, Town of Mexico Stephen Brown, Town of Carthage Gary McGrane, Franklin County Richard Chick, Town of Poland Richard Metivier, City of Lewiston James Collins, Town of Livermore Falls Roland Miller, City of Auburn Richard Davis, Town of Farmington Phil Nadeau, City of Lewiston David Duguay, Oxford County Janet Pelletier, AVCOG Stephen Eldridge, Town of Rumford Martin Puckett, Town of Livermore Falls Perry Ellsworth, Town of Rangeley Robert Thompson, AVCOG Raymond Glover, Town of Paris Greg Whitney, AVCOG John Johnson, Town of Jay AVCOG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – August 23, 2006 John Johnson, Town of Jay Don Craig, ATRC John Madigan, Town of Mexico Dave Duguay, Oxford County Barry Matulaitis, Rumford Falls Times Stephen Eldridge, Town of Rumford Joan Walton, AVCOG David Errington, Town of Mexico John Woulfe, Town of Rumford Rep. Arlan R. Jodrey, District 91, Bethel
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ATRC POLICY COMMITTEE – August 24, 2006 Jonathan Labonte, Maine Turnpike Marsha Bennett, AVCOG Authority Liette Boudreau, AVCOG John Perry, Federal Highway Gino Camardese, Town of Sabattus Administration Don Craig, ATRC Jason Ready, ATRC Patricia Finnigan, City of Auburn Bob Thompson, ATRC/AVCOG David Jones, City of Lewiston Joan Walton, AVCOG AVCOG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – September 6, 2006 John Johnson, Town of Jay Don Craig, ATRC David Leavitt, MSAD #9, Farmington Richard Davis, Town of Farmington Anstiss Morrill, Chesterville Stephen Eldridge, Town of Rumford Duane Scott, MaineDOT Glenn Gordon, Western Maine Joan Walton, AVCOG Transportation Services, Inc. Rep. Arlan R. Jodrey, District 91, Bethel
ATRC TECHNICAL COMMITTEE – September 14, 2006 Sid Hazelton, City of Auburn Liette Boudreau, AVCOG Mike Laberge, MDOT Paul Boudreau, City of Lewiston Jonathan Labonte, Maine Richard C. Burnham, City of Lewiston Authority Don Craig, ATRC Jason Ready, ATRC Randy Dunton, MDOT Region 1 Joan Walton, AVCOG Tracy Fabrizio, Town of Sabattus David Galbraith, City of Auburn
Turnpike
AVCOG TRANSPORTATION DAY CONFERENCE – September 15, 2006 Raymond Glover, Town of Paris Gerry Audibert, MaineDOT Rep. James Hamper, District 100, Oxford Michael Beaulieu, Auburn John Hawley, Town of Mechanic Falls Marsha Bennett, AVCOG David Hediger, City of Lewiston Lisa Bonney, AVCOG Fred Henderson, Town of Greenwood Liette Boudreau, AVCOG Glen Holmes, Town of Buckfield Paul Boudreau, City of Lewiston Diane Jackson, Senator Snowe’s office Stephen Brown, Town of Carthage Ron Jean, Lewiston Richard Burnham, City of Lewiston Rep. Arlan R. Jodrey, District 91, Bethel Richard Chick, Town of Poland John Johnson, Town of Jay Rick Cloutier, Auburn-Lewiston Municipal David Jones, City of Lewiston Airport Amy Landry, AVCOG Don Craig, ATRC Ferg Lea, AVCOG Richard Davis, Town of Farmington David Leavitt, MSAD #9, Farmington Dale Doughty, MaineDOT John Madigan, Town of Mexico Stephen Eldridge, Town of Rumford Vern Maxfield, Town of Woodstock Barb Fortier, AVCOG
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Andrea Quaid, Congressman Michaud’s office Jason Ready, ATRC Duane Scott, MaineDOT Allan Smith, Town of Farmington Robert Thompson, AVCOG Joan Walton, AVCOG Conrad Welzel, Maine Turnpike Authority Brian Whitney, Senator Snow’s office Greg Whitney, AVCOG
Ron McKinnon, DECD Richard Metivier, City of Lewiston Rep. Sawin Millett, District 95, Waterford Anstiss Morrill, Chesterville Greg Nadeau, MaineDOT Judy Paradis, Frenchville Rep. Ross Paradis, District 2, Frenchville Janet Pelletier, AVCOG John Perry, Federal Highway Administration
AVCOG TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – October 12, 2006 Rep. Arlan R. Jodrey, District 91, Bethel Mike Broderick, Town of Bethel John Johnson, Town of Jay Steve Brown, Town of Carthage David Leavitt, MSAD #9, Farmington Don Craig, ATRC Evelyn McAllister, Rangeley Richard Davis, Town of Farmington Rep. Sawin Millett, District 95, Waterford John G. Edgerly, Town of Farmington Anstiss Morrill, Chesterville Bill Geller, Town of Farmington Norman Putnam, Town of Woodstock Glenn Gordon, Western Maine Jason Ready, AVCOG Transportation Services, Inc. Kurt Schaub, Town of Livermore David Guernsey, Town of Kingfield Allan Smith, Town of Farmington Rep. James Hamper, District 100, Oxford Joan Walton, AVCOG Mark Hume, MaineDOT Region 3 AVCOG EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE – October 18, 2006 Ferg Lea, AVCOG Lisa Bonney, AVCOG John Madigan, Town of Mexico Stephen Brown, Town of Carthage Richard Metivier, City of Lewiston Richard Chick, Town of Poland Phil Nadeau, City of Lewiston Don Craig, ATRC Janet Pelletier, AVCOG Richard Davis, Town of Farmington Jason Ready, AVCOG David Duguay, Oxford County Robert Thompson, AVCOG Stephen Eldridge, Town of Rumford Joan Walton, AVCOG Daniel Feeney, Town of Lisbon Greg Whitney, AVCOG Raymond Glover, Town of Paris John Johnson, Town of Jay ATRC POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING – October 26, 2006 Curtis Lunt, Town of Lisbon James Bennett, City of Lewiston John Perry, FHWA Marsha Bennett, AVCOG Jason Ready, AVCOG Don Craig, ATRC Duane Scott, MaineDOT Dale F. Doughty, MaineDOT Rep. Thomas F. Shields, MD, District 68 Pat Finnigan, City of Auburn Robert Thompson, AVCOG Dan Feeney, Town of Lisbon Joan Walton, AVCOG Glenn Gordon, Western Maine Conrad W. Welzel, Maine Turnpike Transportation Services, Inc. Authority Dave Jones, City of Lewiston
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Supporting Documentation AVCOG Regional Strategic Investments Aviation “Objective: Evaluate potential for a feeder airport to serve northern oxford and Franklin counties in support of tourism and economic development.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1994 “The RTAC 7 region has numerous airports with varying capabilities, none of which include commercial service airports. Though there are numerous airports, there is a need for economic development airports, which are airports that are eligible for federal funds. Economic development airports are also important factors to companies choosing a location for their business. An economic development airport in Franklin or Oxford County would augment the local economy, as well as one in Lewiston/ Auburn.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1997 “A group of communities in northern Franklin County has submitted sponsorship application to MDOT for establishment of an economic development airport to serve Western Maine.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002
Highway – Roads (Maine has) 22,000 miles of highway…; 11,000 miles are roads for which the state is responsible. Of all the states in the Northeast, only Pennsylvania has a larger state aid highway system; (the highway system is the) lifeline of the economy; in 1980, Mainers paid about $250 million for their highways. This represented nearly 3 percent of their total income, a share nearly 60 percent above the national level of support.” Routes 4 & 27 Corridor: Population and Land Use Projections, AVCOG; June, 1986 “Objective: Improve roadside information systems tied to tourism.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1994 “Objective: To reconstruct Routes 2, 4, and 26 up to federal highway standards.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1997 “Objective: To maintain and enhance commitment to transportation needs of the tourism and forest products industry.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1997 “Objective: Reconstruct and maintain Route 2 as an efficient and safe highway connecting New Hampshire in Maine.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1997
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“In order to sustain and encourage economic activity in the State's rural areas, improvement of the rural arterial highway system to modern design standards is critical. The Department of Transportation is directed to present biennial budgets that would result in the achievement of this objective within the next 10 years.” 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature “While we have seen substantial improvements made to the condition of the region’s highway network over the past 10 years, Division 7 continues to have the highest percentage of arterial backlog miles of any division in the state.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002 “Identify economic development initiative (e.g. foreign trade zones, technology parks, etc.) and prioritize transportation system improvements needed to support these ventures.” Regional Transportation Assessment for the AVCOG Region, May 2005 62% of respondents support paved shoulders for bicycle transportation in rural areas. Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005 48% of respondents support construction of additional interchanges to the Maine Turnpike in their region. Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005 25% of respondents feel that East-West connections should be the State’s top transportation improvement priority. Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005 44% of respondents feel that Improvements to existing rural highways should be the State’s top transportation improvement priority. Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005
Highway – Park & Ride Lots “Several informal [Park & Ride] lots have arisen on…key roadways in western Maine. These informal lots indicate that there is a regional demand for Park & Ride services that is not being met by the ‘official’ system.” Maine’s Park & Ride Lots: Evaluating and strengthening the System; MTA and MDOT, January 2004 “Although there are nearly 400 spaces in Park & Ride lots in this region, there are no officially owned Park & Ride facilities on Route 4, between Auburn and Farmington.” Regional Transportation Assessment for the AVCOG Region, May 2005 29% of respondents would use a Park & Ride lot if it was available in their area. Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005
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Highway – Truck/Freight Movement “The continued explosive growth of containerized Intermodal cargo in global and U.S. freight movements places a premium on efficient movement of cargo among port, rail, truck and air freight systems. The demand for “just in time” delivery of products, combined with the increased level of economic competition globally and among U.S. states, has made the freight transportation system a key part of economic growth strategies.” Integrated Freight Plan, MDOT, May 1998 “Now that Maine roadways carrying the majority of heavy truck traffic have been identified and a preliminary needs assessment conducted, resources may be focused on improving those facilities that may have the largest benefit with respect to the increased efficiency of freight and goods movement.” A Heavy Haul Truck Network for the State of Maine: HHTN Identification Needs Assessment; MDOT & Office of Freight Transportation, November 2001 “Giving a degree of priority to projects that improve the structural integrity of roadways under posted load limits serves to recognize that these inefficiencies are caused by load limit postings, and that removing these restrictions would increase the efficiency of freight and goods movement.” A Heavy Haul Truck Network for the State of Maine: HHTN Identification Needs Assessment; MDOT & Office of Freight Transportation, November 2001 “Maine sends and receives the highest percentage of freight by truck in the nation… With this region’s reliance on the lumber/wood products industry, enforcement of truck weight limits is of great concern.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002
Multi-modal “This problem could be solved by creating a transportation center for the two cities at a location accessible to all modes of travel—rail, intercity bus, suburban bus and local bus.” Regional Public Transportation Plan; Androscoggin Valley Regional Planning Commission, June 1972 “MDOT has hired consultants to study the feasibility of siting a passenger Intermodal Facility at the Auburn Lewiston Municipal Airport in Auburn. If constructed, this facility will provide a seamless connection to intercity transit, air and rail services.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002
Rail “Reintroducing rail passenger service to the Lewiston-Auburn area will entail solving many problems, not the least of which is the location of the station and the coordination with existing bus lines.”
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Regional Public Transportation Plan; Androscoggin Valley Regional Planning Commission, June 1972 “The need for high speed rail passenger transport is being documented, and should become a reality within 20 years.” Regional Public Transportation Plan; Androscoggin Valley Regional Planning Commission, June 1972 “Objective: Expand intrastate and interstate passenger rail service.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 1994 “In order for passenger rail to be viable and successful in this region, we will need to have a transit system in place that can provide connections to resources, amenities, desired destination, etc.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002 “The St. Lawrence & Atlantic line provides us with access to Montreal. A 2001 market study showed a potential seasonal rail ridership of over 300,000 passengers from Montreal to Maine. The success of this service…depends upon reducing the travel time between Auburn and Montreal. High speed designation in this corridor is essential for our efforts to reach this goal.” David A. Cole, Commissioner MDOT, a letter to senators Snowe and Collins, and Congressman Allen and Michaud, March 18th, 2003 60% of respondents would use passenger rail service if it returned to western Maine. Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005 “Whereas, the 115th Maine State Legislature enacted the Passenger Rail Service Act directing the Maine Department of Transportation to establish regularly scheduled rail service within and beyond the state of Maine; and, …Whereas rail lines exist in the State of Maine that may be used for purposes of passenger rail transportation that could connect the municipalities of Lewiston, Auburn, Brunswick, Portland and other municipalities to each other and points south; … I, John E. Baldacci, Governor of the State of Maine, in consideration of all of the above, do hereby order: The State Planning Office shall…facilitate community and economic development near existing and planned train stations…to assess the economic significance of existing and planned train stations... [and review] Rail alignment options for use in the short term and the long term to extend passenger rail service north of Portland; …” Executive Order 22 FY 06/07, Governor John E. Baldacci, September 2006
Transit “MDOT needs to do the appropriate planning now so we can accommodate the transportation needs of tourists as well as residents. Public transit must be reasonably available as an alternative mode of transportation for our residents.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002
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“Public Transit is important to those people without regular access to an automobile. Seniors, disabled, and handicapped persons most often rely on public transit. However, there is growing need for establishment of a reliable transit system in Region 7 that can meet the needs of the general population as well as that of tourists.” Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, Regional Advisory Report, 2002 “…From 1994 to 2004 ridership on ferries, airplanes, trains, and busses in Maine grew by more than 2 million riders, from 5.35 million to 7.58 million, a 42% increase. Airport use has rebounded since the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, with over two million passengers in 2004. Ridership on buses and rail is expected to continue to increase as petroleum prices remain high.” Transportation in Maine: 2006 State of the System Executive Summary, MDOT 2006 24% respondents would use public transportation to travel within the Farmington Region 19% respondents would use public transportation to travel to Lewiston/Auburn 18% respondents would use public transportation to travel within Franklin County Greater Franklin County Transportation Survey, March 2000 35% of business owners would participate actively in a program to change employees’ commuting habits. Farmington Labor Market Area Employer Survey, June 2000 “In the fall semester of academic year 2003, it was estimated that nearly 1,300 college students commuted to classes in Auburn and Lewiston via Route 4.” Regional Transportation Assessment for the AVCOG Region, May 2005
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Sources of Supporting Documentation AVCOG Regional Strategic Investments Regional Public Transportation Plan; Androscoggin Valley Regional Planning Commission, June 1972 Routes 4 & 27 Corridor: Population and Land Use Projections, AVCOG; June, 1986 Regional Advisory Report, Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, 1994 Regional Advisory Report, Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, 1997 Integrated Freight Plan, MDOT, May 1998 2nd Regular Session of the 119th Legislature Greater Franklin County Transportation Survey, March 2000 Farmington Labor Market Area Employer Survey, June 2000 Shoulder Paving Prioritization for Roads within Region 7: Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7; August 2000 A Heavy Haul Truck Network for the State of Maine: HHTN Identification Needs Assessment; MDOT & Office of Freight Transportation, November 2001 Regional Advisory Report, Regional Transportation Advisory Committee RTAC 7, 2002 David A. Cole, Commissioner MDOT, a letter to senators Snowe and Collins, and Congressmen Allen and Michaud, March 18th, 2003 ATRC 20 year Transportation Plan, ATRC; 2003 Maine’s Park & Ride Lots: Evaluating and strengthening the System; MTA and MDOT, January 2004 Public Opinion Survey for the Regional Transportation Assessment; AVCOG, March 2005 Regional Transportation Assessment for the AVCOG Region; May 2005 Transportation in Maine: 2006 State of the System Executive Summary, MDOT; 2006 Executive Order 22 FY 06/07, 9/1/06, Governor John E. Baldacci
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