AUGUSTA - Rep. Art Bell, D-Yarmouth, introduced legislation last week at a public hearing before the Legislature's Transportation Committee that would authorize recreational use of the Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor that runs from Portland to Auburn.
Rep. Bell offered new language for LD 209 that would allow the Maine Department of Transportation to permit an interim bicycle and pedestrian trail on 26.5 miles of the inactive Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor while preserving the corridor for future rail use.
"As we're seeing in Maine and across the country, there has been a craving for local community that has led to renewed interest in outdoor recreation, especially trail usage," said Bell. "This bill would help to promote the expansion of active transportation in our community while improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists."
"Converting the inactive Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor to trail use is an important opportunity for the Portland to Auburn region and the state as a whole," said Rep. Amy Kuhn, D-Falmouth. "This trail will help us realize numerous environmental, economic and recreational benefits without closing off the possibility of active rail use in the future."
"I am confident that I speak for many of my constituents when I say that we want this rail trail in our backyards," said Rep. Anne Graham, D-North Yarmouth. "For the health and wellbeing of our communities, lets put this corridor to good use."
At the public hearing on May 18, the bill was supported by numerous advocacy organizations, including the Maine Trails Coalition, East Coast Greenway Alliance, Bicycle Coalition of Maine and Casco Bay Trail Alliance.
The Legislature's Transportation Committee will hold a work session on the bill on Wednesday, May 24 at 10 a.m.
Bell is serving his second term in the Maine House of Representatives and represents District 103, which includes Yarmouth. He serves on the Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Environment and Natural Resources.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Bell, Kuhn, Graham], c. 305-965-2744