1. Redefine the authority. Redefine the Maine Turnpike Authority to be a toll collection and revenue bond financing agency of statewide scope that supports the development of the State's arterial system;

2. Consolidate maintenance. Consolidate maintenance of the turnpike under the Department of Transportation with the cost of that maintenance borne by the Highway Fund;

3. Arterial development. Reallocate the savings realized by subsection 2 to the development of the State's arterial network connecting to the turnpike and to expediting interchange construction, particularly in the Lewiston-Auburn region; and

4. Elimination of all side tolls. Present a plan for the expedited elimination of all side tolls on the turnpike.

The department shall prepare and fully draft this legislation in cooperation with the Maine Turnpike Authority. The legislation must identify all savings resulting from the consolidation of turnpike maintenance within the Department of Transportation and must amend the Maine Revised Statutes as necessary to implement these goals no later than January 1, 2001.

SUMMARY

This resolve requires the Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority to jointly prepare and submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 119th Legislature to redefine the authority to be a toll collection and revenue bond financing agency of statewide scope that supports the development of the State's arterial system, consolidate maintenance of the turnpike under the Department of Transportation with the cost of that maintenance borne by the Highway Fund, reallocate the savings realized to the development of the State's arterial network connecting to the turnpike and to expediting interchange construction, particularly in the Lewiston-Auburn region and present a plan for the expedited elimination of all side tolls on the turnpike.

The legislation must be submitted by January 1, 2000 and must implement those goals no later than January 1, 2001.