Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation to Complete a Service Plan and Determine the Scope of Work for Restoration of Rail Use of the Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor from Downtown Portland to Auburn
Maine Legislature, Session 131, LD 1750
Committee: Transportation
Sponsors: CHIPMAN, WILLIAMS, BALDACCI, NANGLE, ROTUNDO, ALBERT, ANKELES, O'CONNELL, THERIAULT, WHITE

Legislative Document
No. 1750
S.P. 695
In Senate, April 20, 2023
Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation to Complete a 
Service Plan and Determine the Scope of Work for Restoration of 
Rail Use of the Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor from Downtown 
Portland to Auburn
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, NANGLE of Cumberland, ROTUNDO of Androscoggin, 
Representatives: ALBERT of Madawaska, ANKELES of Brunswick, O'CONNELL of Brewer, 
THERIAULT of Fort Kent, WHITE of Guilford.
Sec. 1.  Department of Transportation to complete plans; Berlin 
Subdivision Rail Corridor. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall 
conduct a study that includes a service plan and scope of work plan for the section of the 
Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor between downtown Portland and Auburn for restoration 
of the rail corridor to a minimum of Class 3 interurban light rail operating conditions. The 
service plan and scope of work plan must satisfy legal and United States Department of 
Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration requirements for crossing the CSX 
Transportation main line corridor and for shared corridor use to downtown Lewiston and 
through Danville Junction on the Genesee & Wyoming railroad to a station site at or near 
the Auburn-Lewiston Airport.  The study must include proposed community train station 
locations and appropriate multimodal use of the rail corridor including trail use. The service 
plan must include an examination of the feasibility of applying for federal capital 
improvements grants to restore the rail corridor.
Sec. 2.  Establishment of advisory committee; duties. Resolved: That the 
Commissioner of Transportation shall establish an advisory committee to advise the 
Department of Transportation in undertaking its responsibilities under section 1.
1.  The Commissioner of Transportation shall appoint at least 9 but no more than 15 
members to the advisory committee, including from among the following: 
A.  A person representing the Transit Oriented Development Institute;
B.  A person representing the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce;
C.  A person representing the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce;
D.  A person representing the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce;
E.  The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;
F.   A person representing the Greater Portland Council of Governments or the Portland 
Area Comprehensive Transportation System;
G.  A person representing the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governments or the 
Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center; 
H.  A person representing a state agency other than the Department of Transportation;
I.  A person representing an organization advocating for rail use; 
J.  A person representing an organization advocating for nonrail or recreational trail 
interests; and 
K.  Persons with expertise in rail logistics or infrastructure.  
2.  The Commissioner of Transportation shall designate the chair of the advisory 
committee. The Department of Transportation shall provide staff support to the advisory 
committee. The advisory committee may adopt policies to effectively govern its 
proceedings. The advisory committee shall meet at the call of the chair and hold a minimum 
of one public hearing located in the geographic area along the rail corridor between 
Portland and Auburn. 
3.  Within 9 months of convening its first meeting, the advisory committee shall submit 
a report to the Department of Transportation on its findings and recommendations 
regarding the service plan and scope of work plan developed pursuant to section 1.  The 
advisory committee terminates upon the submission of its report to the department.
Sec. 3.  Report.  Within 30 days of receiving the report under section 2, subsection 
3, the Department of Transportation shall submit a report to the joint standing committee 
of the Legislature having jurisdiction over railroad matters on the actions of the department 
taken under section 1, including the development of the service plan and scope of work 
plan under section 1 and any recommendations for suggested legislation.  After reviewing 
the report, the joint standing committee may report out a bill to implement any of the 
recommendations included in the report.
SUMMARY
This resolve directs the Department of Transportation to complete a study that includes 
a service plan and scope of work plan for the section of the Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor 
between downtown Portland and Auburn for restoration of the rail corridor to a minimum 
of Class 3 interurban light rail operating conditions.  The plans must satisfy legal and 
United States Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration requirements 
for crossing the CSX Transportation main line corridor and for shared corridor use to 
downtown Lewiston and through Danville Junction on the Genesee & Wyoming railroad 
to a station site at or near the Auburn-Lewiston Airport. The study must include proposed 
community train station locations and appropriate multimodal use of the rail corridor 
including trail use.
The resolve requires the Commissioner of Transportation to establish an advisory 
committee to advise the department in undertaking its responsibilities regarding the service 
plan and scope of work plan. Within 9 months of convening its first meeting, the advisory 
committee is required to submit a report to the department on its findings and 
recommendations regarding the service plan and scope of work plan.  The department is 
required to submit a report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having 
jurisdiction over railroad matters on the actions taken by the department, including the 
development of the plans and recommendations for suggested legislation. After reviewing 
the report, the joint standing committee may report out a bill to implement any of the 
recommendations included in the report.