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July 21, 2008

Rail service to W. Maine moves ahead

Maine recently purchased a final piece of railway that could allow for passenger and freight rail service from Portland to western Maine in at least five years.

The Maine Department of Transportation in May paid $805,000 to purchase a 5.2-mile section of rail from Westbrook to Windham on the old Mountain Division Rail Line, using funding approved by voters last year. The purchase will officially be announced Aug. 1. Advocates plan to launch a multi-year, multimillion dollar fundraising effort to ready the tracks for service, according to the Portland Press Herald. Fundraising will include applying for federal grants.

A few options are being considered. The state could spend about $18 million to open the line to slow freight service, $20 million for faster freight and excursion passenger service, or $42 million total for freight and commuter passenger service.

For more about Maine's freight and passenger rail service, read these recent Mainebiz stories: "Boxcar blues" and "All aboard?"

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