Maine Department of Transportation Office of Freight Transportation 16 State House Station Augusta, Maine (207)

Maine’s Freight Transportation System 87% of all tonnage is moved by truck Economy is resource-based, but is moving towards a service sector economy Maine ships out far more product than it consumes. Therefore, there is a serious backhaul problem for Maine shippers Perceived “at the end of the line” but is really “in the center of the global economy”

Maine’s Freight Experience Real Task – Change culture internally & externally as it relates to alternative modes 1996 – Reorganized modal offices into OPT & OFT – Created system to provide increased choices to shippers Key goals – Increase Productivity – Increase Modal Choice – Environmental Benefit – Reduce Shipping Costs for Maine Businesses 1997 – – Freight Transportation Advisory Committee – Integrated Freight Plan

Maine Integrated Freight Plan Completed in 1998 and currently being updated Included 100 personal interviews of transportation managers by MDOT staff Included over 140 returned mail survey from smaller business Made policy and project recommendations Solid contacts made with Maine shippers

Examples of Freight Planning ONEDOT effort in Port of Portland – Cooperative effort between OFT and FHWA Borders & Corridors Program – Multi -state and –provincial cooperation – Two successful grant applications to FHWA Eastern Border Transportation Coalition – OFT is the American co-chair of this organization State of Maine ITS-CVO Working Group Statewide Dredging Management Action Plan

Highway Freight Projects Developed Unified Motor Carrier Account Management System (UMCAMS) Heavy Haul Truck Network (HHTN) Study WIM Station System Deployment Around Maine Truck Service Area Plan – Public - Private Partnerships Automated Weigh Stations Tri-state Traveler Initiative (ME, NH, VT) Landside access to ports – State Highway Funds to connect pier with industrial park at Port of Eastport – Intermodal connector from I-295 to Port of Portland

MDOT Freight Rail Projects Three new Intermodal Truck to Rail Facilities St. Lawrence & Atlantic in Auburn – $2.8 million initial investments – Phase II expansion underway Guilford Rail in Waterville – $750,000 equipment lease and land improvements Bangor & Aroostook in Presque Isle – $1.0 million for equipment lease and track work

Industrial Rail Access Program 16 Rail siding projects funded in 1998 – $2.2 mil. in State GO Bonds and $.8 mil. in CMAQ Program Requirements – 50/50 Public-Private Investment – Meet Cost-Benefit Criteria – Benefits Must Accrue to Shipper Difficulties Encountered – Federal Approvals – Constantly Changing Rail Business Markets – Understanding of Federal Process (Rail & Municipality) Program used as an example for other State & Provinces (Vermont and Quebec)

Maine DOT Port Projects Re-established Maine Port Authority Searsport – Established new model for public-private partnership in port development Portland – Container crane funded 50/50 with CMAQ and State GO bonds Small Harbor Improvement Program

Maine Air Cargo Support Service Sector Economy – Growing at 10% annually in Maine Most Traffic Flows South to Boston Major Airports – Portland – limited by land availability – Bangor – growing steadily, 2 mile long runway

MDOT’s Primary Strategies for Freight Transportation ITS-CVO multiple source funding Public-Private Partnerships Lease-Purchase Opportunities Proceeds from Sales of Assets Revolving Loan Funds for Seaports and Rail Transfer of Federally assisted assets Corridor Preservation Multiple funding sources Port & Rail Revenue bonds

Things to Think About ISTEA and TEA 21 opened a crack in the door Look at projects generically – real public benefit Be Balanced in Changes Strengthen Grade Crossing Program Fund Rail Upgrades (286,000 lb) Create space in new programs/authorizations for smaller states Resolve the “who pays” issue for port dredging Get ROI on shared projects from both public and private

Maine Department of Transportation Office of Freight Transportation 16 State House Station Augusta, Maine (207)