CARIBOU — Unless a significant amount of funding is allocated for 241 miles of the Montreal Maine & Atlantic Railroad, not even Johnny Cash himself would be able to “hear that train a’ coming” in northern Maine from Millinocket to Fort Kent.
Image created by NMDC
The Montreal Maine & Atlantic announced on August 14 that its line in Northern Maine (indicated by red) is facing abandonment due to a lack of profitability.
Montreal Maine & Atlantic announced on August 14 that the 241 miles of track in Aroostook County and just below are no longer profitable and facing abandonment.
Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will be submitting an application entitled “Madawaska Subdivision Project” for a Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER) Discretionary Grant available under the American Recovery Act, the purpose of which is to obtain roughly $23 million for the portion of rail currently facing abandonment.
On the morning of August 28, Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development (LEAD) and Northern Maine Development Commission (NMDC) gathered about 30 concerned rail users representing prominent industries in northern Maine — lumber, wood products, food processing, farming, etc. — and community leaders to discuss the situation.
“I’m very appreciative to LEAD and NMDC for pulling the group together,” said MaineDOT Commissioner David Cole. “For all purposes, these are economic development funds where it’s all about creating jobs and sustaining jobs. To make a strong case [to receive funds through the TIGER Grant], you really need to be able to demonstrate the economic consequences to an area, and today’s meeting was very helpful pulling all the impacted parties together,” he added.
Of the estimated 1,559 miles of rail line in the state, the MMA line in the northern part of the state is the only line looking at abandonment.
“In terms of any region’s economic development plan of the future, freight rail is a very important option and we like to have as much freight rail connectivity in the state to compliment our highways and our ports,” Cole said.
While neither NMDC or LEAD officials knew what to expect from the group or if it would be possible to reach a consensus, LEAD President, Virginia Joles feels that the meeting was a success, stating that the group of concerned rail users vocalized strong support for keeping the lines operational and improving services.
On behalf of the LEAD Board of Directors, Joles sent a letter to Commissioner Cole expressing their support for the Madawaska Subdivision Project.
“Without direct rail service, these firms will face higher costs for inbound transportation of materials required for production and higher outbound costs of moving products to national markets,” the letter read, “Those firms that are able will convert rail shipments for truck, further exacerbating the already serious problems on the state and local roadway network in the region.”
The letter also states that continued rail usage is necessary to enhance the economic competitiveness and survival of the region and its communities.
Approximately 14 individuals of the group representing concerned rail users signed a similar letter; those in attendance at the meeting were also asked to write individual letters expressing how their business would be affected by the discontinuance of rail services and how improved rail services might also impact them.
According to Commissioner Cole, decisions as to which projects are awarded stimulus funds could be announced as early as November.
