Senator Collins Announces Nearly $70 Million in Highway and Transit Funding for Maine

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that Maine has been awarded a total of $69.2 million in highway and transit funding.  The funding was awarded through the COVID-19 relief package that was signed into law on December 27th.

“As the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I have strongly advocated for funding to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of Maine’s infrastructure,” said Senator Collins.  “Continued investments in our transportation network are vital, particularly during the pandemic that has caused a decline in revenues.  The road projects and transit operations supported by this funding will help ensure that Mainers can reach their homes and jobs.”

“The funding provided by the most recent COVID-19 relief package is crucial for Maine’s transportation system from a capital programming perspective,” said Maine DOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note.  “We are grateful for the continued advocacy of Senator Collins and Maine’s entire delegation.”

The latest COVID-19 relief package, which was negotiated by a bipartisan group led by Senator Collins, provided a total of $10 billion for highways and $14 billion for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). 

Of the highway funding, Maine was awarded $46 million to:

·         Support highway and bridge capital projects that include 268 miles of high-priority roads and 43 bridge projects throughout the state. 

·         Support improvements to 320 miles of lesser traveled roads statewide. 

Of the FTA funding, Maine was awarded $23.2 million to:

·         Support transit agencies in meeting COVID-19 protocols to safely maintain operations and employees statewide. 

·         Support rural and intercity transit operators across Maine that provide access to jobs, commercial airports, and rail services.

·         Provide safe connections to jobs through employee commuter services, including those at The Jackson Laboratory, Bath Iron Works, and Sunday River.

·         Support connections to Maine’s island communities, including: the Maine State Ferry Service, the Cranberry Isle Ferry, the Casco Bay Island Transit District, and the Isle Au Haut boat service. 

·         Provide critical services beyond traditional transit services, including the Downeast Community Partners’ buses used to safely distribute food and provide transit to COVID-19 vaccination sites.

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