GOP: Highways in need of funding State lawmakers want bond increase

AUGUSTA – Three days ago, State House Republicans held a press conference proclaiming the governor’s bond package was too large. But some GOP lawmakers were contending Thursday that at least part of the administration’s borrowing plan was too small.

Legislative advocates of a transportation bond larger than the $38 million proposal advanced by Gov. John E. Baldacci had plenty of company as municipal and state highway funding proponents packed a public hearing on the plan.

As members of the Legislature’s Appropriations and Transportation committees heard speaker after speaker detail the need for bonding as much as double the amount sought by the governor in LD 998, one Republican lawmaker on the budget panel agreed more money was needed for highway, bridge, airport and rail projects.

“It’s uncommon for anybody on my side of the aisle to say to a department that we want to give you more money,” said Rep. Stephen Bowen, R-Rockport. “Frankly, there’s a lot of concern that we’re falling behind [in transportation].”

Rep. Ronald F. Collins of Wells, a Republican on the highway panel, said that when compared to past years, the administration’s transportation bond request seemed inadequate, given the aggressive work schedule outlined by the Department of Transportation.

“I’m wondering if both committees should be considering perhaps raising this bond limit to a much higher degree,” he said.

Sen. John L. Martin, D-Eagle Lake and a member of the Appropriations Committee, posed questions to David A. Cole, the governor’s transportation commissioner, who apparently surprised a few lawmakers when he told them the administration was unclear over the level of matching federal funds that ultimately will be made available to the states.

“Federal funding for transportation is in a continuing resolution status, and reauthorization has not gone forth yet,” Cole said, adding that it was not clear whether Maine would receive more matching funds if it increased its request.

“You’re telling me the Republican Congress has yet to enact a budget for transportation?” Martin asked.

“Reauthorization is still in place, senator,” Cole replied.

“That’s the same answer, thank you,” Martin said.

Cole said the state’s $38 million bond would leverage $154 million in federal and local matching funds to generate 4,000 jobs in Maine. Twelve million dollars of the state’s bonding request would be dedicated to the replacement of the Waldo-Hancock Bridge in Prospect, leaving $15.75 million for roads and bridges and $10.25 million to fund a variety of other transportation projects including:

. $2 million for improved industrial rail access.

. $1.75 million to replace the Gov. Curtis ferry serving Vinalhaven.

. $1 million to rehabilitate the dock at Swans Island.

. $1.5 million for airport infrastructure improvements.,

. $1 million for bicycle and pedestrian trail projects.

Some of the state’s heaviest hitters in the transportation field submitted testimony to lawmakers Thursday illustrating their concern that Baldacci was moving in the wrong direction with his bond plan.

Maria Fuentes, a lobbyist for the Maine Better Transportation Association, emphasized that nearly half of the state’s 4,000 miles of roads had not been rehabilitated in more than 50 years. She said about a third, or 1,048 out of 2,741 state-maintained bridges, are also in excess of 50 years old.

Pointing out that transportation bonds typically make up about 45 percent of any given bond package, Fuentes said Baldacci’s $38 million proposal amounted to just 19 percent of his overall $197 million proposal.

“This request represents a big step backwards for transportation in that it ignores the fact that we are at a critical crossroads in terms of the age of our road and bridge infrastructure,” she said.

“Investing in transportation is absolutely crucial to Maine’s economic well-being and its future growth,” said Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and former commissioner of the Department of Transportation. “Maine has not kept up with its infrastructure needs for a long time now, and we must not fall farther behind.”

A number of municipal officials from across the state stood in line to present their remarks to the committees. Roger Raymond, Bucksport’s town manager, said his Town Council was convinced $38 million was “not enough” considering the backlog of projects that already has been placed on hold across the state.

“Twenty-nine million dollars, when you take out the Waldo-Hancock Bridge, is not a lot of money, especially with what’s happening to construction costs these days,” he said.

Jim Ring, Bangor’s city engineer, said he too was concerned about the proposed level of funding in the transportation bond.

“I recognize the budget challenges that you have. However, underfunding our transportation improvements, compared to our actual needs, will result in reduced safety, efficiency and greater costs in the future,” Ring said.

The final hearing on the transportation request by the appropriations panel and other committees wrapped up three days of whirlwind testimony on a total of about $1 billion in bond proposals. The Appropriations Committee will continue to review the borrowing requests next month.