SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD GRANTS SENATOR COLLINS' REQUEST FOR MAINE HEARING ON MONTREAL, MAINE & ATLANTIC RAILWAY

The Surface Transportation Board (STB), the regulatory agency that governs all U.S. railroads, today granted U.S. Senator Susan Collins' request to hold a public hearing in Maine regarding the Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway's notice of intent to abandon its 233 miles of rail lines in northern Maine. Senator Collins wrote to STB Chairman Daniel Elliott last week and urged him to hold a hearing in Maine so that stakeholders would not have to travel all the way to Washington, D.C.

"The Surface Transportation Board recognizes the importance of hearing directly from the shippers, local residents, and other stakeholders who would be severely impacted by the closure of the rail line," said Senator Collins. "Holding this hearing in Maine ensures that interested parties from state government, local municipalities, shippers, and local residents will have the opportunity to voice their concerns to transportation officials."

The STB says additional details, including the date and location of the hearing, will be forthcoming.

In addition, during a recent Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee hearing, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood pledged to Senator Collins that he would send a representative from the Federal Railroad Administration to Maine to help develop a plan to keep the rail line operating. Senator Collins is working with transportation officials to arrange the visit.

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