Rails and Roads

Five years and $2 million after the Legislature revived thoughts about trains running to Eastport, the first phase of a study is ready for its public unveiling. Expect to hear a lot about buses.

Advocates of the original plan saw a 10-year, $73 million project that combined freight trains moving goods from the port at Eastport with passenger trains toward Mount Desert Island, making the rails affordable while reducing congestion along Route 1A, in Bar Harbor and at Acadia National Park. Phase 1 – chosen because that’s what the federal government was most willing to fund – was the passenger-rail link between Bangor, or Brewer, and the coast. The state Department of Transportation, following federal and state rules for examining alternatives, included along with rail options several other ideas such as buses and a ferry.

The results are in, the ferry is out and rail doesn’t look strong either, although based on ridership numbers it is the best option. A lot changes over five years. Support for freight has been pushed aside, and the focus has turned to relieving congestion along 1A. State officials will be discussing the results of their work Monday (6:30 p.m. Trenton Elementary School) and Tuesday (noon, Brewer Auditorium). The short-list transportation alternatives are as follows: bus, rapid-transit bus, bus on a busway and light rail. You might sense a leaning toward buses.

There are many challenges for whatever option Maine chooses, not the least of which are the proximity of houses near the right of way at Lucerne and Green lakes. In addition, there are capital costs, maintenance costs and safety to consider and whether federal funding could be extended, as has been done recently with the Downeaster train.

Even if freight is not likely to be included in any study soon, developers of the options along the Bangor-to-Trenton corridor would do well to consider what their work would preclude for other regions: Ripping up the rail tracks presents one such limitation.

Transportation plans don’t move quickly but their effects are enormous and long lasting. Next week’s meetings are the time to speak up.