Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) would receive $38.1 million from the Department of Transportation for the replacement and rehabilitation of seven bridges.
The funding allotment via the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Program would aid efforts to address bridges critical for the movement of freight and mobility of residents for the towns of Waterville, Solon, Rumford, Bangor and Old Town.
“This funding will create and sustain much-needed jobs at a time when our communities are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Collins, who chairs the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, said. “In addition, by enhancing the efficiency of our transportation network, these bridge replacement projects will deliver long-lasting benefits that will be felt by Maine families and businesses.”
Collins said improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of transportation infrastructure throughout Maine is a chief priority.
The INFRA program leverages federal grants to help communities invest in high-priority projects to fix infrastructure.
“These federal discretionary grants are critical to MaineDOT as we work to maintain Maine’s aging infrastructure,” MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note said. “These funds are necessary to replace seven of Maine’s nearly 3,000 bridges. Replacing these bridges will help to improve the economic viability of some of Maine’s more rural areas, ensuring reliable movement of goods across our state.”