Road to improvement

I understand the Department of Transportation recently released its Biennial Transportation Improvement Program (BTIP) and that this area would benefit from many of the projects listed in that document. It is important to note, however, that the projects listed will only move forward if the department has a fully funded budget. As part of the department’s budget proposal, the governor has proposed increasing the fuel tax by five cents. I think it is absolutely critical that our legislators support the budget proposal, including the gas tax increase, as I think full funding of the BTIP is essential.

There as some signficant projects listed in this area including $1.4 million for Route 16 in Alton, over $900,000 for the Franklin Street Bridge in Bangor, major highway improvements in Hampden and $1.5 milion for the Mud Pond Bridge in Old Town. There is also substantial funding for paving projects throughout the region. All of these are important, but I am concerned where the money will come from if legislators do not support an increase to the gas tax, because we cannot continue to fund the DOT’s budget shortfall by issuing bonds at the expense of future generations.

I urge our local legislators to support the governor’s budget proposal to ensure full funding for these projects, and on ongoing revenue source for the Department of Transportation.

Nobody wants to pay more in taxes, myself included. However, this is an investment that is desperately needed. Increasing the gas tax by five cents will enable the state to continue to match millions of dollars in federal money — that is federal money that Mainers already paid in. Also, nearly two-thirds of the increased money would go back to towns to pay for local road projects. I am concerned that if the state doesn’t continue to provide aid to municipalities for town roads, then some communities will be forced to increase their property tax.

I urge local legislators to support the governor’s proposal to improve roads and bridge throughout the state of Maine. Gerard Tassel Bangor