Resolve, To Require an Engineering Study To Determine the Cost of Extending Rail Service from Portland to Fryeburg
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0328
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: DIAMOND, MOORE, HASTINGS, TURNER, BARSTOW, BRYANT, CRESSEY, DRISCOLL, MAREAN, MARLEY, MUSE, PEOPLES, PLUMMER, ROBINSON

Legislative Document 
No. 328 
S.P.106 
January 23,2007 
Resolve, To Require an Engineering Study To Determine the Cost of 
Extending Rail Service from Portland to Fryeburg 
(EMERGENCY) 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
Presented by Senator DIAMOND of Cumberland. 
Cosponsored by Representative MOORE of Standish and 
JOY J. O'BRIEN 
Secretary of the Senate 
Senators: HASTINGS of Oxford, TURNER of Cumberland, Representatives: BARSTOW of 
Gorham, BRYANT of Windham, CRESSEY of Cornish, DRISCOLL of Westbrook, 
MAREAN of Hollis, MARLEY of Portland, MUSE of Fryeburg, PEOPLES of Westbrook, 
PLUMMER of Windham, ROBINSON of Raymond. 
Pnllleu \111 rt'L:ydeu paper 
Emergency preamble. Whereas, acts and resolves of the Legislature do not 
become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and 
Whereas, the commuter corridors into Portland are becoming increasingly 
. congested, resulting in more accidents and pollution; and 
Whereas, one of the benefits of rail service is that it moves freight that would 
otherwise be hauled by trucks on our roads; and 
Whereas, developing alternative transportation options is important to relieve 
congestion on our roads and reduce our reliance on foreign oil reserves; and 
Whereas, there exists a state-owned rail corridor from Portland to Fryeburg that 
may be used for rail service; and 
Whereas, a study of the engineering costs of upgrading this existing rail corridor 
must begin as soon as possible to allow reporting to the Second Regular Session of the 
123rd Legislature; and 
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within 
the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as 
immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, 
therefore, be it 
Sec. 1. 
Department of Transportation and Northern New England 
Passenger Rail Authority to conduct engineering study. Resolved: That the 
Department of Transportation in collaboration with the Northern New England Passenger 
Rail Authority shaH conduct an engineering study to determine the cost of extending rail 
service from Portland to Fryeburg on rails rated class 3 rails by the Federal Railroad 
Administration; and be it further 
Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: 
That the Department of Transportation and the 
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority shall submit the study and any proposed 
legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than January 15, 
2008. FoHowing receipt and review of the report, the Joint Standing Committee on 
Transportation may report out a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd 
Legislature. 
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve 
takes effect when approved. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Transportation in collaboration with the 
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority to conduct an engineering study to 
determine the cost of extending rail service from Portland to Fryeburg and submit the 
study with any proposed legislation to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no 
later that January 15,2008.