Press Statement of Environment Maine’s Matthew Davis
April 23, 2008
Downeaster Expansion to Brunswick Gets Boost
Today, the day after Earth Day, Gov. John Baldacci signed a bill to direct $3 million
dollars a year from existing rental car tax revenues towards upgrading the
train tracks from Portland to Brunswick. This investment is critical to
expanding the Downeaster’s service, but does not address the fact that
operating funds for the train run out in 2009.
Environment Maine
would like to thank Gov. Baldacci, House Speaker Glenn Cummings, Senate
President Beth Edmonds, Rep. Boyd Marley, House Chair of the Transportation Committee,
and to Sen. Peggy Rotundo, Senate Chair of the Appropriations Committee for
their leadership on seeing this bill to fruition. Citizens and businesses from
around Maine
came together to support this critical infrastructure investment, and our state
leaders responded.
This is a crucial first step. By investing in these track
improvements, the Downeaster train could start running from Boston
to Brunswick in 2010, connecting to existing seasonal
rail service from Brunswick to Rockland,
and planned routes to Augusta
and Lewiston-Auburn.
Particularly with gasoline nearing $3.50 a gallon, Maine’s leaders need to
find more funding like this for transportation alternatives. And seeing as
though Maine’s
largest source for global warming emissions is the transportation sector, we
need to employ all our effective tools such as promoting passenger and freight
rail.
