MOVING ON RAILS

The final run on the Maine Central Railroad line between Brewer and Calais took place Nov. 20, 1985. For the nearly 19 years since, the question of what to do with those tracks has stalled, for the past several years over whether the track can be revived to serve Washington County or whether a hike and bike trail would produce more good for the region. Nineteen years of indecision probably qualifies the issue as stuck. Last week, Dianne Tilton, executive director of Sunrise County Economic Council, offered a compromise that gets it moving again.

Ms. Tilton asks the key question: “How can you get agreement for either rail or trail when both sides of this issue are right?” That is, there are benefits to both outcomes, and though, like Ms. Tilton, we have been consistent supporters of working to revive rail in the region we also recognize that there hasn’t been any progress made on this development and there isn’t likely to be soon. Doing nothing is worse than choosing either option.

The desire for rail was reinforced by a legislative task force on transportation last year. Among its 17 recommendations were that the state should preserve rail corridors; it should leave rail in place unless the rail can be removed without hurting economic opportunities; and the Maine Department of Transportation should prioritize rail rehabilitation. These points would be even stronger, however, if there was more money in Augusta (or Washington) for carrying them out. Absent cash and commitment from the state, an alternative makes sense.

That alternative may be found in Ms. Tilton’s commentary. Her idea contains three parts. In brief, it would work this way:

. A trail would run from Brewer to Ayre’s Junction, near Pembroke, after which it would depart from the rail line along another route to Calais.

The track from Calais to Ayre’s Junction would be restored for use and a new line from there to the port of Eastport would be built. That requires a significant investment, but it is far less than what was envisioned for the full rail line.

. Trail supporters have already agreed to banking the rights of way for rail line along the Calais branch should the economics of restoring the line work out; Ms. Tilton would have the state put that in a formal agreement with the approval of the Legislature and a clearly stated understanding that should this event arise, no one should act surprised. “Remnants of the rail, such as switches and rail sidings should be left in place. Not only is the railroad identity kept in the public consciousness, the rail ‘theme’ adds to the appeal of the trail,” she writes.

. The state would need to spend some money to market the trail; if it is to work, the idea shouldn’t be done halfway. She sensibly asks that the state Office of Tourism develop a marketing plan for the trail.

Before these steps can be taken, however, the Baldacci administration should offer its support and the governor’s office should direct the DOT to start examining the details of what would surely be a many-year proposal. A thank-you note to Ms. Tilton also would be appropriate.