Slide 1:

Maine Department of Transportation
Office of Freight Transportation
16 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
207-287-2841

Slide 2:

Maine’s Freight Transportation System
87% of all tonnage is moved by truck
Economy is resource-based, but is moving towards a service sector economy
Maine ships out far more product than it consumes. Therefore, there is a serious backhaul problem for Maine shippers
Perceived “at the end of the line” but is really “in the center of the global economy”

Slide 3:

Maine’s Freight Experience
Real Task – Change culture internally & externally as it relates to alternative modes
1996
– Reorganized modal offices into OPT & OFT
– Created system to provide increased choices to shippers
Key goals
– Increase Productivity
– Increase Modal Choice
– Environmental Benefit
– Reduce Shipping Costs for Maine Businesses
1997 –
– Freight Transportation Advisory Committee
– Integrated Freight Plan

Slide 4:

Maine Integrated Freight Plan
Completed in 1998 and currently being updated
Included 100 personal interviews of transportation managers by MDOT staff
Included over 140 returned mail survey from smaller business
Made policy and project recommendations
Solid contacts made with Maine shippers

Slide 5:

Examples of Freight Planning
ONEDOT effort in Port of Portland
– Cooperative effort between OFT and FHWA
Borders & Corridors Program
– Multi -state and –provincial cooperation
– Two successful grant applications to FHWA
Eastern Border Transportation Coalition
– OFT is the American co-chair of this organization
State of Maine ITS-CVO Working Group
Statewide Dredging Management Action Plan

Slide 6:

Highway Freight Projects
Developed Unified Motor Carrier Account Management System (UMCAMS)
Heavy Haul Truck Network (HHTN) Study
WIM Station System Deployment Around Maine
Truck Service Area Plan
– Public - Private Partnerships
Automated Weigh Stations
Tri-state Traveler Initiative (ME, NH, VT)
Landside access to ports
– State Highway Funds to connect pier with industrial park at Port of Eastport
– Intermodal connector from I-295 to Port of Portland

Slide 7:

MDOT Freight Rail Projects
Three new Intermodal Truck to Rail Facilities
St. Lawrence & Atlantic in Auburn
– $2.8 million initial investments
– Phase II expansion underway
Guilford Rail in Waterville
– $750,000 equipment lease and land improvements
Bangor & Aroostook in Presque Isle
– $1.0 million for equipment lease and track work

Slide 8:

Industrial Rail Access Program
16 Rail siding projects funded in 1998
– $2.2 mil. in State GO Bonds and $.8 mil. in CMAQ
Program Requirements
– 50/50 Public-Private Investment
– Meet Cost-Benefit Criteria
– Benefits Must Accrue to Shipper
Difficulties Encountered
– Federal Approvals
– Constantly Changing Rail Business Markets
– Understanding of Federal Process (Rail & Municipality)
Program used as an example for other State & Provinces (Vermont and Quebec)

Slide 9:

Maine DOT Port Projects
Re-established Maine Port Authority
Searsport
– Established new model for public-private partnership in port development
Portland
– Container crane funded 50/50 with CMAQ and State GO bonds
Small Harbor Improvement Program

Slide 10:

Maine Air Cargo
Support Service Sector Economy
– Growing at 10% annually in Maine
Most Traffic Flows South to Boston
Major Airports
– Portland – limited by land availability
– Bangor – growing steadily, 2 mile long runway

Slide 11:

MDOT’s Primary Strategies for Freight Transportation
ITS-CVO multiple source funding
Public-Private Partnerships
Lease-Purchase Opportunities
Proceeds from Sales of Assets
Revolving Loan Funds for Seaports and Rail
Transfer of Federally assisted assets
Corridor Preservation
Multiple funding sources
Port & Rail Revenue bonds

Slide 12:

Things to Think About
ISTEA and TEA 21 opened a crack in the door
Look at projects generically – real public benefit
Be Balanced in Changes
Strengthen Grade Crossing Program
Fund Rail Upgrades (286,000 lb)
Create space in new programs/authorizations for smaller states
Resolve the “who pays” issue for port dredging
Get ROI on shared projects from both public and private

Slide 13:

Maine Department of Transportation
Office of Freight Transportation
16 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
207-287-2841