Senator Collins Announces More Than $5 Million In Transportation Grants For Maine
Washington, DC - Senator Susan Collins today announced that more than $5 million in federal grants has been awarded to Maine by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Senator Collins is the senior Republican on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.
The grants-13 in total-will fund a wide range of projects to improve Maine's infrastructure, including enhancements to several national scenic byways throughout the state.
"As a leader of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, I am doing all that I can to ensure that important investments are made in Maine's transportation infrastructure, which supports so many jobs and keeps Mainers moving forward," Senator Collins said. "The enhancements to our scenic byways that are included in these grants will further encourage tourists to explore Maine's vast and beautiful landscape."
A list of the grants is below. (See Sen. Collins' earlier release on the ferry service improvements here)
Project: Littlefields Bridge in Auburn
Description: By using precast deck panels with corrosion-resistant composite reinforcing bars, this project will improve safety and reduce construction-related traffic congestion by extending the useful life of the bridge and reducing the need for maintenance.
Amount: $580,000
Program: Highways for LIFE (HfL) Pilot Program
Project: Bridgewater Boundary Bridge Replacement
Description: The project uses prefabricated bridge elements to shorten the overall construction time. Because this bridge accommodates border-crossing traffic between New Brunswick, Canada, and Maine, the shorter construction time will benefit the trucking industry and the traveling public by reducing user costs, delay, and inconvenience.
Amount: $300,000
Program: Innovative Bridge Research and Deployment (IBRD) Program
Project: Preservation of Robyville Covered Bridge in Corinth
Description: This project will repair walls and install scour countermeasures to keep this historic bridge in a state of good repair and allow it to continue to carry vehicular traffic.
Amount: $160,000
Program: National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation (NHCBP) Program
Project: Schoodic National Scenic Byway Rest Area and Turnout Enhancements
Description: This project will enhance seven rest areas and scenic turnouts on the Schoodic National Scenic Byway.
Amount: $45,940
Program: National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)
Project: Old Canada Road Corridor Management Plan Revision
Description: This project will reposition the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway as a key tourism destination in the Upper Kennebec River/Northern Somerset County area.
Amount: $54,048
Program: National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)
Project: Grindstone Scenic Byway Gateway Visitor Facilities
Description: This project will create five gateway visitor center facilities at the key entry points to the byway to provide amenities and information including public safety information, general information about the area, and an overview of the recreational, historic, and cultural assets of the byway.
Amount: $386,560
Program: National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)
Project: Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan Revision
Description: This project will update and revise the 2000 corridor management plan to set the groundwork for new byway projects and activities designed to have a positive impact on the local economy and protect the byway's intrinsic values and assets.
Amount: $34,800
Program: National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)
Project: Black Woods Byway Corridor Management Plan Update (Hancock and Washington Counties)
Description: This project will update and enhance the 2005 corridor management plan for the Black Woods Scenic Byway to include interpretive and sustainability plans.
Amount: $22,000
Program: National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)
Project: Pit Trail Improvements
Description: This project will prepare plans, specifications and an estimate for the design of the Pit Trail, a bike/pedestrian path connecting the two most densely populated areas of the Indian Township Passamaquoddy Reservation. The design plans will include survey, right-of- way documents, environmental review, and archeological review.
Amount: $112,400
Program: Public Lands Highway Discretionary Program
Project: Acadia Gateway Center Design
Description: TCSP funds will help develop final design and construction documents for an intermodal facility at the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton.
Amount: $700,000
Program: Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP)
Project: Thompson's Point Road
Description: TCSP funds will be used for widening a reversible lane and adding bicycle and pedestrian facilities to the roadway in Portland.
Amount: $500,000
Program: Transportation, Community and System Preservation Program (TCSP)
Project: Casco Bay Island Transit District Replacement Vessel Construction in Portland
Description: This project will build a new ferry capable of carrying nearly 400 passengers.
Amount: $1,200,000
Program: Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD) Program
Project: Frenchboro Transfer Bridge Replacement and Pier Rehabilitation
Description: This Maine State Ferry Service project will design and construct a new ferry berthing system, transfer bridge, fender system, and will rehabilitate the pier.
Amount: $1,200,000
Program: Ferry Boat Discretionary (FBD) Program
