Whereas, I-295 is a highway segment of statewide economic importance; and

Whereas, I-295 is facing capacity constraints and projected unacceptable congestion; and

Whereas, widening I-295 would create issues of statewide significance; and

Whereas, reasonable alternatives to widening I-295 will require coordinated strategies of many state and local jurisdictions and authorities; and

Whereas, the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority have also identified capacity constraints on I-95, which is the Maine Turnpike, between South Portland and Falmouth, and I-95 between Falmouth and Brunswick; and

Whereas, I-295 has more than twice the traffic on I-95 where each road crosses the Portland-South Portland line; and

Whereas, the Department of Transportation has identified capacity constraints on noninterstate arteries that might be remedied by improved access to the turnpike and interstate system; and

Whereas, it is the responsibility of the Department of Transportation to advise the Legislature on transportation matters; and

Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore, be it

Sec. 1. Department of Transportation to conduct study. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation shall conduct a comprehensive review of the existing and ongoing studies on the issues included in the potential widening of I-295, explore opportunities to avoid the need for the widening and submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters by January 1, 2001.