Maine cleared to take over short line ROW
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefFederal officials Thursday gave Maine’s Department of Transportation final approval to assume control of 233 miles of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway in the northern portion of the state. The state was prepared to assume control Friday, paying $20.1 million for the right-of-way.
Maine DOT spokesman Mark Latti said an independent operator will be sought to serve the line, while track improvements will be planned and implemented to better serve existing customers. Maine has received a $10.5 million federal grant that will fund repairs and rehabilitation of the railroad. The state will solicit proposals through January, he added.
"As an Aroostook County native, I understand how important the continued operation of this rail line is to Maine’s economy," said Sen. Susan Collins (D-Maine), who assisted in the effort. Keeping the rail line "will help prevent the loss of nearly 2,000 jobs which are dependent upon rail service," Collins said.
The Surface Transportation Board approved the takeover last month, but the final legal obstacle was removed when the Federal Railroad Administration lifted a lien on the line, FRA spokesman Warren Flatau said. FRA is substituting liens on other parts of the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic property, still owned and operated by the MM&A, to ensure repayment of a federal loan, he said.
