Rail group proposes Auburn-Portland commuter service
After learning that the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad wants to discontinue freight service on a line from Portland to Auburn, rail advocates are proposing a commuter service between the two communities.
The Portland Press Herald reported that some people are also lobbying for the rail line to become a trail system connecting to Auburn, but the state says replacing the tracks with a trail is not an option unless the state Legislature passes a law for that purpose.
Supporters of the commuter rail service, however, hope they can again gather backing in the Legislature, which last session passed a resolution to seek further funding for design and engineering work for the rail line.
Tony Donovan, a commercial real estate broker who heads the Maine Rail Transit Coalition, told the paper his group is supporting a rail line that would run from Auburn to India Street in Portland and would cost an estimated $138 million to start. The group estimates funding could come together through $20 million in private investment and a $30 million state transportation bond that would leverage federal support.
A 2011 study found the service would not have adequate ridership to attract federal support, but Donovan’s group argues that study is flawed. The federal government is scheduled to make a decision on St. Lawrence & Atlantic’s request to discontinue use of the freight line in March.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments