AUGUSTA - Today, the Maine Department of Transportation released the 2022 Edition of its three-year Work Plan. This Work Plan includes all capital projects and programs, maintenance and operations activities, planning initiatives, and administrative functions for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024. This plan contains 2,316 individual work items with a total value of $3.17 billion, consisting primarily of work delivered or coordinated through MaineDOT.
Despite the ongoing challenges and uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic and other economic pressures, the team at MaineDOT continues to fulfill its mission of supporting economic opportunity and quality of life by responsibly providing customers the safest and most reliable transportation system possible, given available resources.
For years, the long-standing chronic unmet transportation funding need in Maine and across the nation required MaineDOT to embrace "MacGyver" mode - the department's general approach of doing the best it can with what it has. Some policy developments in 2021 provide reason for cautious optimism moving forward.
"Action at the federal, state, and local levels may mean that we may soon be able to transition from 'MacGyver' mode toward a more proactive approach," said Bruce Van Note, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. "It's too early to tell; we need to know more about goals that affect the scope of our work, construction costs, and the extent and sustainability of new funding. Still, for the first time in many years, it feels like we can begin to consider moving from reactive patching to proactive planning."
There were at least three noteworthy policy development in 2021.
First, the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) became law in November. Once the federal funding from the BIL begins to flow, it will provide an increase in reliable formula funding that will help address construction cost inflation fueled by tight labor and material markets. Further, the BIL provides a dramatic increase in competitive discretionary grant programs. These discretionary funds are not guaranteed and will be subject to federal eligibility and policy guidance that will not be clear for months. However, they may provide the opportunity to make meaningful investments in our iconic New England villages, connecting corridors, modal options to support the people who need them, active transportation, and initiatives that support jobs and the environment including electric vehicle charging stations and port investments to support a clean energy future.
Second, Maine policymakers and voters continue to demonstrate that they understand and support the tangible, foundational value that transportation has on the safety, economic opportunity, and quality of life of all Maine people. In 2021, Governor Mills proposed, and the Legislature approved, two General Fund initiatives that provided nearly $106 million to MaineDOT. This unprecedented level of General Fund support saved MaineDOT's capital transportation program by offsetting state Highway Fund revenue reductions driven by the pandemic and high construction cost inflation. In addition, this past November, more than 70 percent of voters approved a $100-million transportation bond, providing much-needed state match for federal and other funds to support MaineDOT's capital production.
Third, MaineDOT continues to expand its partnerships with stakeholders, including municipalities. Better collaboration means better results for the people of Maine. This year, MaineDOT is leading a comprehensive look at what current trends and funding could mean for Maine's transportation system and customer needs. These endeavors include a revision of our state's overarching Long-Range Transportation Plan and several modally specific plans. Further, this year, MaineDOT is adding a Village Partnership Initiative to its suite of community-based initiatives. This Village Partnership Initiative will be focused on improving lower-speed areas where people meet, walk, shop, and do business. These projects can vary from small, safety improvements to larger, once-in-a-lifetime, placemaking investments.
Building off past successes with projects like Woodford's Corner in Portland, downtown Ogunquit, Naples, Bridgton, Hallowell, and Belgrade, partnerships between MaineDOT and municipalities can revitalize our iconic New England villages.
"The transformation of Belgrade's already charming village into a must-visit destination has been nothing short of amazing," Belgrade Town Manager Anthony Wilson said. "That could not have been possible if not for our partnership with MaineDOT, along with some generous and civic-minded private donors. During the summertime, the village's sidewalks bustle with all manner of vibrancy. We invite anyone interested in the department's Village Partnership Initiative to come to Belgrade and see for themselves."
Whether these three policy developments in 2021 will lead to a sustainably more optimistic, proactive future for transportation in Maine depends upon the clarification regarding goals, costs, and funding all of which are in a state of change now and which should become clearer by the end of 2022.
In the meantime, this Work Plan again delivers essential services and provides for solid capital programs, as always subject to funding materializing as planned. It includes nearly $1.8 billion for highway and bridge capital projects, including the following:
- 235 bridge projects (estimated cost: $631 million).
- 115 miles of highway construction and rehabilitation (estimated cost: $155 million).
- 353 highway safety and spot improvements (estimated cost: $237 million).
- 1,057 miles of preservation paving (estimated cost: $462 million).
- 2,162 miles of Light Capital Paving (LCP) (estimated cost: $111 million).
Notable projects in this Work Plan include:
- Replacement of 15 rural bridge decks located in Benedicta, Medway, Howland, Bangor, Hampden, and Pittsfield (estimated cost: $80.8 million).
Partially funded by $45.2 million in federal grant money. - Replacement of the Ticonic Bridge between Waterville and Winslow (estimated cost: $46.7 million).
Partially funded by $25 million in federal grant money. - Design and construction of the Acadia Gateway Center in Trenton (estimated cost: $30 million).
Partially funded by $12.8 million in federal grant money. - Replacement of the Frank J. Wood Bridge between Brunswick and Topsham (estimated cost: $33.5 million).
- New initiatives in partnership programs to help reimagine and rebuild some of Maine's iconic village and downtown areas in collaboration with local communities (estimated state and local investment: $30 million).
- Replacement of the bridge that carries I-95 over Broadway in Bangor (estimated cost: $19.8 million).
Partially funded by $15.7 million in federal grant money. - Full reconstruction of 4.5 miles of Foxcroft Road in Houlton (estimated cost: $16.3 million).
Partially funded by $15 million in federal grant money. - Construction of a new Casco Bay Lines ferry (estimated cost: $12.5 million).
- Replacement of two bridges that carry I-95 over Webb Road in Waterville (estimated cost: $10.6 million).
Partially funded by $6.1 million in federal grant money. Construction of a new Maine State Ferry Service ferry to serve Matinicus (estimated cost: $10 million). - Construction of 1.4 miles of off-road trail to close a gap on the Eastern Trail located in Scarborough and South Portland. This section of trail includes two critical spans for active transportation over the Nonesuch River and the Downeaster rail line (estimated cost: $6 million).
- Upgrading the International Marine Terminal in Portland with a wharf infill and expansion to allow larger vessels to berth (estimated cost: $5.7 million).
"MaineDOT continues to rise to meet the challenges presented by the ongoing pandemic and other economic pressures," said Maria Fuentes, Executive Director of the Maine Better Transportation Association. "This work plan creates some stability for design and engineering firms during even the most uncertain of times. We are hopeful that new state and federal investments in infrastructure signal the beginning of a new era for transportation in Maine."
This Work Plan, like all such plans, is dependent upon funding assumptions involving state Highway Fund revenue, federal funds, and other funding sources. Should funding sources not materialize, the work items within this plan will need to be adjusted to reflect funding changes.
View and search the 2022 Edition of the MaineDOT Work Plan by visiting www.mainedot.gov. This year's Work Plan also features an interactive, media-rich story map. There is also a media packet, which includes pictures of relevant project sites and design renderings.