Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Susan Collins, a senior member of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, announced that she secured $66,070,000 for 10 road, bridge, and pedestrian safety projects in the Fiscal Year 2023 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill. As the Ranking Member and lead Republican on the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Collins co-authored the bill.
The omnibus funding package passed the Senate by a vote of 68-29. It will now be passed by the House before heading to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“Deteriorating roads cost Mainers hundreds of dollars each year on average in vehicle repairs and wasted gasoline due to congestion. In addition, poor road designs can create hazardous conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Senator Collins. “As a leader of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, I have long supported investments to improve Maine’s transportation network. These projects will help all users of Maine roadways reach their homes and jobs safely and more quickly.”
“Significant infrastructure projects in Maine don’t happen without strong partnerships, and we are grateful to Senator Collins and Maine’s Congressional delegation for their continued support for transportation infrastructure in Maine,” said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. “The $60.6 million that MaineDOT will receive in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funds in fiscal year 2023 will allow for much-needed repairs and upgrades to Maine’s transportation system. This funding will aid in the rehabilitation of several heavily traveled state highways across Maine and will support projects that will increase safety, mobility, and pedestrian and bicycle access. Mainers are fortunate to have representatives in Washington who continue to prioritize transportation in our great state.”
Details on the 10 Maine road improvement projects Senator Collins secured are below:
Aroostook County
Ashland-Eagle Lake, Route 11 Rehabilitation
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Project Location: Ashland to Eagle Lake, ME
Amount: $14,400,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate Route 11 from Ashland to Eagle Lake where current roadway conditions are rated poor to very poor by the Maine Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.
Mapleton Sidewalk Project
Recipient: Town of Mapleton
Project Location: Mapleton, ME
Amount: $150,000
Project Purpose: For Main Street sidewalk repairs and upgrades in Mapleton, which will support safe travel and access by the residents of Mapleton, Castle Hill, and Chapman.
Van Buren, US Route 1 Reconstruction
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Project Location: Van Buren, ME
Amount: $10,400,000
Project Purpose: To reconstruct 4.7 miles of US Route 1 in Van Buren, connecting the Van Buren service center with the Madawaska service center in Aroostook County.
Lincoln County
Alna Egypt Road Bridge Replacement
Recipient: Town of Alna
Project Location: Alna, ME
Amount: $570,000
Project Purpose: To replace a 70-year-old bridge that the Maine Department of Transportation has identified as a high-priority repair.
Piscataquis County
Railroad Avenue Underpass
Recipient: Town of Brownville
Project Location: Brownville, ME
Amount: $750,000
Project Purpose: To reconstruct and secure a retaining wall that supports sidewalk access and railroad bridge overpass abutment. This is the sole access to the residential village in Brownville Junction.
Abbot-Greenville Route 15 Rehabilitation
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Project Location: Greenville, ME
Amount: $16,000,000
Project Purpose: To rehabilitate Route 15 from Abbot to Greenville where current roadway conditions are rated poor to very poor by the Maine Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration.
Somerset County
Norridgewock River and Highway Preservation Project
Recipient: Town of Norridgewock
Project Location: Norridgewock, ME
Amount: $2,500,000
Project Purpose: To improve erosion management on the municipal roadways traversing the banks of the Sandy River and Kennebec River.
Washington County
Milbridge-Cherryfield US Route 1 Reconstruction
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Project Location: Cherryfield, ME
Amount: $12,000,000
Project Purpose: To reconstruct 4.8 miles of US Route 1 from Milbridge to Cherryfield, which will help this segment of roadway meet safety standards.
Working Waterfront Access for the Town of Jonesport
Recipient: Town of Jonesport
Project Location: Jonesport, ME
Amount: $1,500,000
Project Purpose: To repair, elevate, and widen approximately 1,500 linear feet of town-owned public road to support approximately 250 commercial fishers.
York County
Biddeford Elm Street Improvements
Recipient: Maine Department of Transportation
Project Location: Biddeford, ME
Amount: $7,800,000
Project Purpose: To make improvements to a high-crash location, pedestrian and bicycle lanes, and intersections.
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