Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Complete a Feasibility Analysis To Initiate a Commuter and Passenger Train Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area
Maine Legislature, Session 130, LD 0991
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: CHIPMAN, WILLIAMS, BALDACCI, BENNETT, LIBBY, BROOKS, CLOUTIER, COLLINGS, CRAVEN, LOOKNER

Legislative Document
No. 991
S.P. 317
In Senate, March 10, 2021
Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation To Complete a 
Feasibility Analysis To Initiate a Commuter and Passenger Train 
Service between Portland and the Lewiston and Auburn Area
Reference to the Committee on Transportation suggested and ordered printed.
DAREK M. GRANT
Secretary of the Senate
Presented by Senator CHIPMAN of Cumberland.
Cosponsored by Representative WILLIAMS of Bar Harbor and
Senators: BALDACCI of Penobscot, BENNETT of Oxford, LIBBY of Androscoggin, 
Representatives: BROOKS of Lewiston, CLOUTIER of Lewiston, COLLINGS of Portland, 
CRAVEN of Lewiston, LOOKNER of Portland.
Sec. 1.  Feasibility analysis for passenger rail service from Portland to 
Lewiston.  Resolved:  That the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and interested municipalities and 
planning organizations, shall complete a feasibility analysis in accordance with the United 
States Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration "New Starts" federal 
funding program requirements to implement passenger rail service from the Portland Ocean 
Gateway Pier to downtown Lewiston.  The study must identify the state-owned railroad 
corridor between Portland and Auburn and into Lewiston as the locally preferred 
alternative route for analysis.  The report must include:
1.  Identification of municipal station locations and coordination with existing 
passenger rail services and with municipality transportation planning agencies;
2.  An analysis of market demand and potential economic benefits;
3.  A detailed passenger service development plan;
4.  An inventory of infrastructure and necessary capital investment, including 
electrification;
5.  An evaluation of potential financial mechanisms and sources of funds;
6.  An environmental impact analysis to meet "New Starts" federal funding program 
requirements for the proposed service, including station locations; and
7.  An analysis of the potential for service between Boston and both Lewiston and 
Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
The study must be completed in a timely manner and meet 2021 federal infrastructure 
program requirements.
Sec. 2.  Appropriations and allocations.  Resolved:  That the following 
appropriations and allocations are made.
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF
Multimodal – Passenger Rail
Initiative:  Provides one-time funding to complete a feasibility analysis to implement 
passenger rail service from the Portland Ocean Gateway Pier to downtown Lewiston.
GENERAL FUND
2021-22
2022-23
All Other
$250,000
$0
__________
__________
GENERAL FUND TOTAL
$250,000
$0
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the 
Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority and interested municipalities and 
planning organizations, to complete a feasibility analysis to implement passenger rail 
service from Portland to downtown Lewiston.  It appropriates one-time funds of $250,000 
for the feasibility analysis.