Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority To Conduct a Study of Possible Connector Roads in Androscoggin and Franklin Counties
Maine Legislature, Session 126, LD 0875
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: CLEVELAND, CRAVEN, MASON, BEAULIEU, BOLDUC, KNIGHT, WERTS

Legislative Document 
No. 875 
S.P. 300 
In Senate, March 5, 2013 
Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation and the Maine 
Turnpike Authority To Conduct a Study of Possible Connector 
Roads in Androscoggin and Franklin Counties 
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed. 
DAREK M. GRANT 
Secretary of the Senate 
Presented by Senator CLEVELAND of Androscoggin. 
Cosponsored by Senators: CRAVEN of Androscoggin, MASON of Androscoggin, 
Representatives: BEAULIEU of Auburn, BOLDUC of Auburn, KNIGHT of Livermore Falls, 
WERTS of Auburn. 
Sec. 1.  Study.  Resolved:  That the Department of Transportation, referred to in 
this resolve as "the department," and the Maine Turnpike Authority, referred to in this 
resolve as "the authority," shall conduct a study of existing highway infrastructure and 
future capacity needs of state routes connecting Androscoggin County and Franklin 
County, especially State Route 4. The department shall develop a series of 
recommendations to enhance, expand and preserve highway connections between State 
Route 4 and the Maine Turnpike and communities in Androscoggin County and Franklin 
County.  In conducting the study, the department and the authority shall review existing 
proposed and potential improvements that, in the determination of the department and the 
authority, would significantly decrease congestion, eliminate hazards and implement best 
traffic management practices in the area and improve access to communities in 
Androscoggin County and Franklin County. The study must be designed and conducted 
in a manner that allows the results to be used during future state and federal permitting of 
any proposal that may proceed to construction, and any recommendations must conform 
with state transportation policy in accordance with the Sensible Transportation Policy Act 
and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In evaluating and prioritizing 
strategies for the study, the department and the authority shall consider, at a minimum, 
the following: 
1. The feasibility of expanding the existing highway infrastructure to accommodate 
existing and future traffic flow, to improve the safety of all travelers and pedestrians who 
use the road and to meet the economic demands of the region; 
2. The role of transit and other alternative modes of transportation in managing the 
transportation demands in the region; 
3. The feasibility and effectiveness of proposed transportation infrastructure 
strategies to meet future traffic and economic needs, including: 
A. The traffic impact of any new infrastructure on the existing road network;  
B. Environmental impacts; 
C. Traffic toll revenue projections for any new infrastructure and the effects of such 
infrastructure on toll revenues for the existing turnpike; and 
D. Construction and maintenance costs; 
4. Coordinating with area communities and regional planning agencies to evaluate 
land use impacts of all strategies studied and developing recommendations for 
communities for land use controls to protect their community character, economic vitality 
and future investments in transportation; and 
5. Any other factors determined relevant by the department and the authority; and be 
it further 
Sec. 2.  Report. Resolved:  That the department and the authority shall report the 
results of the study to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than 
January 15, 2014. Upon its receipt and review of the report, the committee may submit a 
bill to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature. 
SUMMARY 
This resolve directs the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike 
Authority to conduct a study of possible connector roads in Androscoggin County and 
Franklin County.