Members, Meetings, and Minutes
Current Members
- Paul Schumacher, Chair, Executive Director, Southern Maine Planning and Development
Mountain Div. - Rail Use Advisory Council
The Mountain Division Rail Use Advisory Council was officially formed in September of 2021 by MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note as a result of Resolve 21, Chapter 239.
Rail Use Advisory Council
Public Law 21, Chapter 239 gives the Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner the authority to establish a Rail Use Advisory Council, upon the petition of one or more governmental entities.
Railroads in Maine
Railroad Contact Information
Listed below are the railroad owners and operators in the State of Maine. The contacts indicated for each are provided for those who intend to perform any utility or highway work in the vicinity of the railroad.
Industrial Rail Access Program
The Industrial Rail Access Program has been designed by the Maine Department of Transportation to encourage economic development and increased use of the rail transportation mode.
MaineDOT currently has approximately $2,000,000 programmed for IRAP that will be available beginning January/February of 2024. Please contact Nathan Howard for additional information on available funding at (207) 624-3042.
Meetings
Past meetings
Public Meeting #2 - Economic Evaluation Study for Commuter and Passenger Train Service Between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area
Lewiston Auburn Passenger Transportaion
Focus
MaineDOT recognizes that passenger rail is an important part of the statewide transportation network and affects how people decide to travel as well as where to work and live. Based on information from the various Lewiston and Auburn passenger rail studies, including the 2018 Transit Propensity Analysis, the 2019 Lewiston-Auburn Passenger Rail Service Plan, and the 2023 Lewiston-Auburn Passenger Rail Study: Economic Evaluation Study, MaineDOT plans to pursue the achievable alternative of improved bus service serving intercity and commuter needs.
Meetings
Past meetings
January 19th, 2023 - Public Meeting
December 8, 2022 - Advisory Committee Meeting #2
Portland to Bangor Transit Propensity Study
Focus
MaineDOT, in partnership with the cities of Augusta and Bangor, is conducting a transit propensity study to assess the demand and viability for new or enhanced transit service, including passenger rail and inter-city bus service, between the communities of Portland and Bangor. The study will include a review of relevant traffic counts, most recent data from the United States Census Bureau, population and employment data, all reasonably feasible corridors of service and primary trip generators that could significantly affect demand.
Freight
The Office of Freight and Passenger Services (OFPS) forms policy, programs, and projects that improve Maine's freight transportation network as a cohesive system. The national and international trends towards Just-In-Time operations by manufacturers and businesses has increased demand for an efficient, free-flowing freight transportation system which provides more choices to shippers.
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