Mediation planned in railroad abandonment
The state, a federal agency and the owners of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway will soon hold mediation talks an attempt to prevent the loss of 240 miles of freight tracks in northern Maine.
Federal Surface Transportation Board agreed to postpone its hearing on MMA's request to abandon the railroad tracks and work with the other parties to devise a deal, according to the Bangor Daily News. David Cole, commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, told the paper the parties have roughly three weeks to work out a deal. A confidential mediation will likely lead to a more productive dialogue than the postponed federal hearing and could help the state's congressional delegation secure federal funding to save the tracks, parties from all sides told the paper.
MMA sought approval in February to abandon the rail line this summer that run from Madawaska to Millinocket by summer, saying it's losing $4 million to $5 million a year maintaining the tracks. The state plans to buy the tracks, part of which would be funded by $7 million included in a bond package if voters approve it in June.
Meanwhile, Gov. John Baldacci announced the membership of the 15-member Aroostook Rail Advisory Task Force that would help DOT buy and manage the tracks. Cole will chair the task force and Rep. Josh Tardy, R-Newport, who will serve as vice chair, according to a press release. Maine Economic Development Commissioner Thaxter Trafton, a bipartisan group of Maine lawmakers and business leaders from the region will also serve on the task force.
Go to the article from the Bangor Daily News >>
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