Railways, not highways

If the governors and premiers are indeed proposing a better and cleaner transportation for the region, then it is finally time to dump the antiquated “East-West Highway” concept. Born of thinking from a time when everyone liked Ike, tail fins were king, transport fuel was 25 cents a gallon and the environment was merely a substrate to be paved over, this mythical “build-it-and-they-will-come” link has inspired an army of small town chambers of commerce and contractors for decades. Today, most will agree that the cost of fuel has made trucking marginal, asphalt costs are astronomical, and air quality and natural resources are not something to be squandered for short-term gain.

A much better option is to use the east-west (and north-south) highways we have: the rail system. Maine’s existing rail lines and rights-of-way can be upgraded at a fraction of the cost of a new superhighway. Rail is a far more fuel-efficient (and cleaner) method of moving cargo. Environmental damage would be limited because corridors already exist. Intermodal connections can offer the best of both worlds as long distance shipping costs will be lowered while still offering the convenience and efficiency of truck delivery. And our overburdened state highways will be safer and last longer.

Greg Rossel

Troy