# Presentation: 689826

## Maine Department of TransportationOffice of Freight Transportation

- 16 State House Station
- Augusta, Maine 04333
- (207) 287-2841

## 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 04333
- (207) 287-2841