Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) said Maine has been awarded $69.2 million in federal highway and transit funding under the recently signed COVID-19 relief package.
“As the Ranking Member of the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I have strongly advocated for funding to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of Maine’s infrastructure,” Collins said. “Continued investments in our transportation network are vital, particularly during the pandemic that has caused a decline in revenues. The road projects and transit operations supported by this funding will help ensure that Mainers can reach their homes and jobs.”
Officials indicated the most recent COVID-19 relief initiative provided a total of $10 billion for highways and $14 billion for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Maine is slated to receive $46 million to support highway and bridge capital projects, including 268 miles of high-priority roads and 43 bridge projects throughout the state, and support improvements to 320 miles of lesser traveled roads statewide.
Maine’s FTA funding allocation of $23.2 million is slated to address, among other projects, support for transit agencies in meeting COVID-19 protocols to maintain operations and employees statewide safely; support for rural and intercity transit operators across Maine that provide access to jobs, commercial airports, and rail services; provide safe connections to jobs through employee commuter services, including those at The Jackson Laboratory, Bath Iron Works and Sunday River; and support connections to Maine’s island communities, including the Maine State Ferry Service, the Cranberry Isle Ferry, the Casco Bay Island Transit District, and the Isle Au Haut boat service.
“The funding provided is crucial for Maine’s transportation system from a capital programming perspective,” Maine DOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note said. “We are grateful for the continued advocacy of Sen. Collins and Maine’s entire delegation.”