Maine Department of Transportation

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

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”

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

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Increase Modal Choice Environmental Benefit

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Reduce Shipping Costs for Maine Businesses

 1997 – – –

Freight Transportation Advisory Committee Integrated Freight Plan

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

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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

Maine Department of Transportation

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