|
Maine, as we all know,
is a predominately rural state with vast expanses of
wilderness lying between many of our towns and
cities. The only thing that connects all four
corners of our state and connects us with the rest
of the country is our vast transportation network of
roads, highways, and bridges. That is why it is so
essential for Mainers to know that as a member of
the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, I will continue to strongly advocate
for Maine’s transportation priorities in Congress.
As the Senate works to complete the Transportation
Bill this year, I am committed to working toward
timely passage of this essential legislation to
finally bring our aging transportation system into
the 21st Century. This is not only one
of my top priorities, but probably
the top
priority for counties and towns across Maine.
There is no question
that the maintenance and improvement of our nation’s
roadways is of tremendous importance as an essential
component of our economic health – without roads and
bridges we could not transport our goods and
services for sale at other locations around the
state, the country, and even the world. As our
transportation infrastructure crosses all fifty
states in our union, it therefore requires a
significant federal investment. Let’s look at the
facts: Maine’s highway system is made up of 22,612
road miles, including 367 miles of interstate
highways. Also, as a state with an abundance of
islands, rivers, lakes, and streams, we maintain
more than 3,500 highway bridges with at least a
10-foot span. However, this infrastructure is
continuing to age, even as it is used by an
ever-increasing number of vehicles. In 1980, highway
use in Maine totaled 7.5 billion vehicle miles. By
2000, that number had risen to 13 billion vehicle
miles and will be an estimated 16 billion by the
year 2020. That’s why sufficient funding is so
essential to address the deterioration of a
transportation system that so many of us rely on
daily – and that is why the Congress needs to pass
the Transportation Bill as quickly as
possible.
I have many high
priorities in this legislation that will help
modernize Maine’s transportation network, while also
improving the safety for all our residents. For
years, I have heard from constituents about a
grossly unfair federal policy that has exposed
Mainers to unnecessary harm. The interstate 80,000
truck weight limit has effectively diverted large
trucks onto local roads – instead of driving on the
highways, these trucks drive on roads that cannot
accommodate their size. Raising the truck weight
limit on Maine’s federal highways is necessary to
keep communities safe and to reduce costly wear and
tear on local roads. As a member of the Commerce,
Science, and Transportation Committee, I will fight
in every way possible to raise the weight limit for
our trucks. To do this, I have introduced
legislation to create a safety pilot program for
commercial trucks in Maine. This bill would waive
the existing 80,000 pound limit on Maine’s
Interstate highways in favor of the 100,000 pound
limit used on the Maine Turnpike. It would therefore
allow heavy commercial trucks to use Maine’s
interstate highways instead of secondary roadways
that pass schools and homes.
I believe the federal
government has an obligation to help Maine with such
essential projects throughout our state, including
the Aroostook North-South Highway, Waldo-Hancock
Bridge Replacement, Calais Border Crossing, the
Maine East-West Highway, among others. It is my hope
that all of the projects receive the support they so
right deserve. It is also imperative that we fund
improvements to alternative transportation in order
to relieve congestion and expand our transportation
options. The Downeaster train service from Boston to
Portland is a critical tool to allow Maine to stay
on track of continued economic expansion, while
keeping Maine fully linked to the rest of New
England and the nation.
Passing the
Transportation bill is common sense and is long
overdue. It will allow our state to plan for major,
long-term transportation projects and improve
existing infrastructure. But let’s not forget this
legislation does another very important thing – it
creates jobs. The U.S. Department of Transportation
estimates that for every $1 billion in federal
transportation funding spent, 47,500 jobs are
created.
I think we can all
recognize the need for Congress to pass the
Transportation bill and as quickly as possible – it
simply makes sense. |
