Augusta ? Each year, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recognize the best transportation projects across America and highlight the benefits they provide to communities throughout the country.
On Tuesday, June 7th, Commissioner David Bernhardt of the Maine Department of Transportation was presented a regional award in the 2016 America?s Transportation Awards competition. The ?Expansion of Portland?s International Marine Terminal? received the award in the ?Quality of Life/Community Development, Small? category.
?This award is recognition of the important work being done at the International Marine Terminal in Portland,? said Commissioner Bernhardt. ?I am proud of our existing partnerships and look forward to future collaborations with businesses that will expand their reach into global markets.?
As noted by the City of Portland in a letter to the competition committee members; ?Through the work of the MaineDOT and the Maine Port Authority, the International Marine Terminal has transformed from an under-performing liability to a transportation and economic asset of international significance. For the first time in generations, the Port of Portland now links to international ports with direct marine/rail/highway connections for containerized freight. Through strategic investment, thoughtful design, and energetic marketing, the International Marine Terminal serves the Icelandic shipping firm, Eimskip, and is positioned to expand into coastal short sea domestic shipping. These accomplishments have occurred with partnership, collegiality, and inclusive decision making with the City of Portland as the host community.?
The expansion of the IMT in 2015 included installation of 5,000 feet of new railroad track, construction of a concrete loading pad for shipping containers and preparation for a new cold storage facility.
?The rejuvenation of rail and pier infrastructure at the IMT has allowed businesses more choices and competitive pricing in their logistics decisions,? said Maine Port Authority Executive Director John Henshaw. ?Likewise, freight movement by rail or water incurs less infrastructure costs and produces fewer emissions than freight movement by truck. In doing so, multimodal freight movement leads to cleaner air, better public infrastructure and higher quality of life.?
This year, 40 states are participating in the competition for the best transportation projects across America, nominating 84 projects in one of three categories: ?Under budget," ?Best Use of innovation,? and ?Quality of Life/Community Development.? As a regional winner, the MaineDOT project will be considered for inclusion in the ?Top Ten? projects in the competition which will be announced in September. Those projects will then compete for the Grand Prize and People?s Choice Award to be voted by the public online. Both prizes carry a $10,000 cash prize to support a transportation-related scholarship or charitable cause.