Senator Collins Announces More Than $3.4 Million to Upgrade Traffic Signals at 43 Intersections

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Chairman of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) has been awarded $3,471,651 to replace 43 traffic signal controllers.  This funding was awarded through the Federal Highway Administration’s Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment (ATCMTD) grant program.  Senator Collins wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation in support of the project.

“Improving Maine’s transportation infrastructure is one of my top priorities.  I am delighted to announce this $3.4 million investment that will benefit communities across our state,” said Senator Collins.  “This funding will help to enhance thesafety and efficiency of Maine’s transportation network while growing our economy and helping Mainers reach their homes and jobs more quickly.”

“We remain grateful for the ongoing support and dedication to Maine’s transportation infrastructure from Senator Collins and the rest of our Congressional delegation,” said Maine DOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note.  “This funding will play an integral part in upgrading 43 traffic signal controllers throughout Maine with new advanced technology.  These upgrades will assist in minimizing the impacts of traffic signal control malfunction and allow motorists to travel more efficiently and safely through Maine.”

Many current traffic detection systems in Maine are outdated.  New Advanced Traffic Controller (ATC) devices will have the capability to deliver real-time traffic and signal data, eliminating delays caused by malfunctioning signal equipment. This updated software will facilitate the instantaneous monitoring of all 43 intersections via broadband technology. With this technology in place, MaineDOT will be able to quickly detect problems and dispatch personnel. New software will also capture valuable comprehensive data about traffic patterns and infrastructure usage.

Since 2009, when Senator Collins became a member of the Appropriations Committee, she has secured more than $751 million in competitive transportation grants for the State of Maine.  

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