Resolve, To Require an Engineering Study To Determine the Cost of Extending Rail Service from Portland to Fryeburg

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 shall 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. Following 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.