"We are grateful that policymakers came together, recognized the benefits of infrastructure investments, and worked in a bipartisan way to deliver significant steps forward for transportation," MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note said. "This will help MaineDOT continue a pivot from making do to making real progress."
This Work Plan includes more bridge projects, more durable highway projects, more village and downtown projects, more transit and active transportation investments, more port improvements, and more adaptation to climate impacts.
"We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at MaineDOT to keep delivering projects that improve economic opportunity and quality of life for the people of our great state," said Kelly Flagg, Executive Director of Associated General Contractors of Maine. "AGC is preparing to meet the demand for increased production by investing in workforce development through the creation and expansion of the Maine Construction Academy."
The availability of discretionary federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been a game-changer for transportation funding in Maine. The Work Plan contains more than $1 billion in funding from U.S. Department of Transportation competitive grant programs and Congressionally Directed Spending awards. Many of the major projects in MaineDOT's Work Plan involve these special funding sources. They include:
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- Reconstruction of Route 1 between Frenchville and Fort Kent - recipient of a $27.7 million Rural Surface Transportation Grant
- Safety and mobility improvements throughout North Windham - recipient of a $31.2 million Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant
- Strategic deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure throughout the state - recipient of a $15 million Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Program Grant
- Improvements to culverts and fish passage in Downeast Maine, Central Maine, and the Sandy River Watershed - recipient of a $27 million Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage Grant
- Upgrades to the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad between Lewison and Bethel - recipient of a $19.5 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant
- Design and construction of a hybrid ferry that will carry passengers and vehicles between Lincolnville and Islesboro - recipient of a $28 million Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program Grant
- Improvements to Portland's International Marine Terminal - recipient of a $17.8 million Port Infrastructure Development Program Grant
The largest and most heavily used component of Maine's transportation system is its network of state highways and bridges. Accordingly, this Work Plan invests more than $3 billion in this aspect of the system. These investments include:
- $846.2 million for 267 bridge projects
- $684 million for 285 miles of highway construction and rehabilitation
- $678 million for 1,348 miles of preservation paving
- $618 million for highway and bridge maintenance and operations work
Beyond Maine's roads and bridges, the Work Plan includes:
- $235.4 million in transit investments
- $220 million for aviation
- $204.8 million for capital freight projects
- $165.5 million for capital projects to support the development of ports and marine infrastructure
- $127.1 million in support of ferry projects
- $68 million in stand-alone investments for active transportation (walking, cycling, etc.)
- $52.1 million for Amtrak Downeaster operations
