Trails act as vital connectors for active transportation in Maine. Creating complete and connected streets and trails, allows people to have greater access across their community. Trails are also recreational hubs, and the creation of multi-use paths is a proven economic and tourism driver.
Tied to this conversation are the many unused rail lines throughout Maine. The BCM believes that the interim conversion of rail corridors into trails for active transportation and recreation is the best and highest-impact use of these public resources. Maine does not appear to have any firm plans to implement new passenger rail or freight within the next five years on any of the corridors currently owned by the state. The BCM supports the transformation of these rails into trails which would increase connectivity and provide recreational space for the community.
| LD | Title | Status | Topics | BCM Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 209 | Berlin Subdivision Rail Corridor | LOSS – Bill is Dead | Trails, Rail | BCM Testimony on 209 |
| 216 | Storm Water Management Exemption for Trails | WIN – Gov Signed | Trails | BCM Testimony on 216 |
| 404 | Mountain Division Line | WIN – Gov Signed | Trails, Rail | BCM Testimony on 404 + 1450 |
| 406 | An Act to Expand Passenger Rail Service | DRAW – Postponed | Rail | BCM Testimony on 406 |
| 860 | An Act to Identify the Railroad Lines from Portland to Bangor as a Major Corridor and to Fund a Feasibility Study | LOSS | Infrastructure, Rail | BCM Testimony on 860 |
| 861 | An Act to Identify the Canadian Pacific Railway Railroad Lines from Hermon Station Through Brownville and Jackman to Quebec and Montreal as a Major Corridor and to Fund a Feasibility Study | WIN – Bill is Dead – BCM Opposed | Infrastructure, Rail | BCM Testimony on 861 |
| 862 | An Act to Move Jurisdiction over Railroad Lines from the Department of Transportation to an Independent Rail Authority | WIN – Bill is Dead – BCM Opposed | Infrastructure, Rail | BCM Testimony on 862 |
| 1156 | Maine Trails Bond | DRAW – Bill Carried Over | Trails, Rail | BCM Testimony on 1156 |
| 1170 | Resolve, to Promote Passenger Rail for Commuters | WIN – Bill is Dead – BCM Opposed | Infrastructure, Rail | BCM Testimony on 1170 |
| 1450 | Mountain Division Line Funding | WIN – OTP – Special Appropriations Table | Trails, Rail | BCM Testimony on 404 + 1450 |
| 1750 | 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 | DRAW – Bill is Carried Over | Trails, Rail |