FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION CLEARS THE WAY FOR MAINE TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF MONTREAL, MAINE AND ATLANTIC RAILWAY
U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, today announced that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has cleared all legal hurdles for the State of Maine to take ownership of a portion of the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway in Aroostook and Penobscot counties, preserving rail service for that part of the State. With Senator Collins' strong support, the Department of Transportation provided a $10.5 million grant in October 2010 to the Maine Department of Transportation for repairs and upgrades for that section of the railroad.
"As an Aroostook County native, I understand how important the continued operation of this rail line is to Maine's economy. Today's news allows the State of Maine to take clear ownership of this portion of track, rehabilitate it, and improve it in order to preserve rail service for nearly two dozen employers in Aroostook and Penobscot counties. This will help prevent the loss of nearly 2,000 jobs which are dependent upon rail service."
Last April, FRA Administrator Joe Szabo traveled to Bangor, at Senator Collins' request, to meet with the Senator, the Governor, local and state officials, and businesses to discuss how to preserve rail service in Northern Maine. Administrator Szabo called Senator Collins to inform her that the FRA had reached an agreement to allow the State to own that portion of the rail line. In making this announcement, Mr. Szabo said "Senator Collins was instrumental in saving rail service in northern Maine since she brought the issue to the attention of the Secretary of Transportation, invited me to attend a forum in Maine with key stakeholders, and worked to secure crucial federal funds for upgrades to the railroad."
"Today's decision by FRA clears the way for the State to take over this rail line, so we can begin the important work of upgrading and rehabilitating the tracks to preserve and improve rail service for northern Maine" said Senator Collins.
###
"As an Aroostook County native, I understand how important the continued operation of this rail line is to Maine's economy. Today's news allows the State of Maine to take clear ownership of this portion of track, rehabilitate it, and improve it in order to preserve rail service for nearly two dozen employers in Aroostook and Penobscot counties. This will help prevent the loss of nearly 2,000 jobs which are dependent upon rail service."
Last April, FRA Administrator Joe Szabo traveled to Bangor, at Senator Collins' request, to meet with the Senator, the Governor, local and state officials, and businesses to discuss how to preserve rail service in Northern Maine. Administrator Szabo called Senator Collins to inform her that the FRA had reached an agreement to allow the State to own that portion of the rail line. In making this announcement, Mr. Szabo said "Senator Collins was instrumental in saving rail service in northern Maine since she brought the issue to the attention of the Secretary of Transportation, invited me to attend a forum in Maine with key stakeholders, and worked to secure crucial federal funds for upgrades to the railroad."
"Today's decision by FRA clears the way for the State to take over this rail line, so we can begin the important work of upgrading and rehabilitating the tracks to preserve and improve rail service for northern Maine" said Senator Collins.
###
