Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority To Conduct a Study Regarding the Need for a Passenger Transit Service Linking Municipalities from Portland North to Lewiston and Auburn

Sec. 1. Study. Resolved: That the Department of Transportation, referred to in this resolve as "the department," and the Maine Turnpike Authority, referred to in this resolve as "the authority," shall conduct a study of existing transportation services and future capacity needs for a passenger transit service linking municipalities from Portland north to Lewiston and Auburn. The purpose of this study is to identify the need for and develop a series of recommendations to implement a passenger transit service linking municipalities from Portland north to Lewiston and Auburn. In conducting the study, the department and the authority shall review methods that might be implemented to improve access from Portland north to the Lewiston and Auburn area. The study must be designed and conducted in a manner that allows the results to be used during future state and federal permitting of any proposal that may proceed to construction, and any recommendations must conform with state transportation policy in accordance with the Sensible Transportation Policy Act and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. In evaluating and prioritizing strategies for the study, the department and the authority shall consider, at a minimum, the following:

1. The feasibility of expanding the existing passenger transit service options in the subject area to allow persons in the Lewiston and Auburn area to have access to the economic opportunities that exist in the Portland job market and persons in Portland to have the opportunity to seek affordable housing options in the region;

2. Coordinating with area communities and regional planning agencies to evaluate all strategies studied and developing recommendations for communities for transportation controls to protect their community character, economic vitality and future investments in transportation; and

3. Any other factors determined relevant by the department and the authority; and be it further

Sec. 2. Report. Resolved: That the department and the authority shall report the results of their study to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation no later than January 15, 2014. Upon its receipt and review of the report, the committee may submit a bill to the Second Regular Session of the 126th Legislature.

summary

This resolve directs the Department of Transportation and the Maine Turnpike Authority to conduct a study regarding the need for a passenger transit service linking municipalities from Portland north to Lewiston and Auburn.