U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Ranking Member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced today that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $1.2 million competitive grant to the Maine Department of Transportation. This funding, which is being provided through the Federal Highway Administration's Transportation and Community and System Preservation program, will be used to help plan and build a new I-95 interchange at Exit 113. In June, Senator Collins wrote to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood in support of the Maine DOT request.
"This funding will help provide full north and southbound access to I-95-and connections to routes 3 and 27-making the future site of the new MaineGeneral Medical Center fully accessible. This project is not only critical for the safe and efficient flow of traffic around the new hospital-but it is critical to the economic future of this area. It will create much needed jobs and help Central Maine attract and retain top physicians. This truly has been a collaborative effort between the private sector and agencies from the local, state, federal levels, and I am delighted to have been able to play a key role in securing this critical funding."
"We thank Senator Collins for her leadership," said Chuck Hays, CEO of MaineGeneral Medical Center. "Today marks a critical step in realizing the dream of the new regional hospital and Thayer comprehensive outpatient center. Combined, these facilities promise to improve health care delivery to the people of Kennebec Valley for generations to come. Senator Collins' steadfast support, along with local, state and federal partners, the Harold Alfond Foundation, local business community and the dedicated medical and professional staff of MaineGeneral Health, has been instrumental in achieving this goal."