INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE. INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS - Managing the bottom line at USI - VOLUME 40 n AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 n NUMBER 4
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VOLUME 40 n AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 n NUMBER 4
The Magazine of the Maine Better Transportation Association
INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Managing the bottom line at USI
B O B C A T. C O M
Northeast Paving
is proud to serve Maine
as one of the state’s
BUILDING TOGETHER leading civil contractors.
With Our Clients, Communities, and Stakeholders.
We are committed to
delivering the highest
quality services and
products, including:
• asphalt paving and
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18 BLACKSTRAP ROAD
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35 DAVES WAY Bangor, ME 04401
FALMOUTH, ME HERMON, ME
(207) 797-2240 (207) 848-9036
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AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 n MAINE TRAILS 1
VOLUME 40 n AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 n NUMBER 4
Our Mission... The Magazine of the Maine Better Transportation Association
Integrity
Expertise
Dedication
Relationships
Community
Since 1966
IN THIS ISSUE:
MAINE NEWS
21 On the rise. Revitalizing downtown
Sanford. By Sanford City Staff
ASSOCIATION NEWS
27 Power to the people? A publicly
owned electric utility discussed at
14
Aroostook meeting.
31 Going for the green. MBTA members
raise $30,000 at Infrastructure Golf
41
Classic
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 47 Royce Cross retires. Jonathan Cross is
2021 & 2022 9 History lessons. Sometimes we forget
38 T2 No. 3. Transportation on Tap meets third generation to lead company.
in Augusta for third in 2022 series.
why we need good transportation. MAINEDOT VIEW
By Tony Grande MEMBER NEWS 49 Village investments. In Aroostook
CALENDAR 41 Minding the bottom line. USI helps its County. By Dale Doughty
customers mitigate risk. By Kathryn
11 Upcoming MBTA events. EXIT RAMP
Buxton
ON RAMP BC Two decades on track. A look back at
13 A digest of recent transportation news. 20 years with Maine’s Downeaster
passenger rail service.
COVER STORY
14 International bridge. International
relations. A new bridge at the border in
Serving your Madawaska. By Betty Adams
insurance needs throughout On the cover: Construction underway on
New England since 1966, 27 the International Bridge in Madawaska.
Deschaine Digital photo
with offices in Concord, NH,
INSURANCE • BONDS • BENEFITS Portland, ME,
...an Assurex Global Partner Bennington, VT and
1-800-238-3840 Maine Better Transportation Association
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West Lebanon, NH 150 Capitol Street, Suite 5 n Augusta, Maine 04330 n (207) 622-0526 n www.mbtaonline.org
“Maine Trails” (ISSN-0047-5548 8) is published bi-monthly, for $20 by the Maine Better Transportation Association,
150 Capitol Street, Suite 5, Augusta, ME 04330. Periodicals postage paid at Augusta, Maine. Printed by J.S. McCarthy,
Augusta, Maine. Postmaster: Send address change to: Maine Trails n 150 Capitol Street, Suite 5, Augusta, ME 04330
2 MAINE TRAILS n AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 n MAINE TRAILS 3
Paving the future since 1935
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6 MAINE TRAILS n AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
by Tony Grande, MBTA President
ASSOCIATION OFFICERS
President
TONY GRANDE
History lessons
Two locations and a dozen bonding
VHB
Vice President
A recent story in the Bangor Daily News offered some food for
specialists to help take your company
ERIC RITCHIE
Sargent
thought on Maine’s interstate system – a vast network of
where you would like it to go.
2nd Vice President
MICHELLE IBARGUEN roads connecting Maine to the rest of the country – and what
Cross Insurance
Secretary-Treasurer
the numbers mean and how they came to be.
T
ERIK WIBERG
R.W. Gillespie & Associates, Inc.
he story is also a reminder of
Immediate Past President
IRVIN SMITH how quickly we come to take for
Eddington
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
granted the lifelines that Maine’s
transportation system provides for
“More than
CHRIS ABBOUD
USI Insurance Service
our communities and our economy.
The truth is transportation in Maine
13,000 jobs in
WAYNE BERRY
Northeast Paving Co.
is essential. According to the Bureau of Maine are in the
PAUL BRADBURY
Portland International Jetport
Transportation Statistics, more than 13,000
jobs in Maine are in the transportation sector, transportation
sector, an
PARKER BROWN
Shaw Brothers Construction, Inc. an increase of 8.1 percent over the past decade,
TONY CARUSO and Mainers travel 14.8 billion miles a year (an
Bangor International Airport
DOUGLAS DAVIDSON
increase of 1.5 percent). Ninety billion dollars
in freight moves over our interstate highways
increase of 8.1
Maine Turnpike Authority
GREGORY DORE in Maine. percent over the
past decade, and
Madison
It’s also a good reminder of the importance
DEBORAH DUNLAP AVASTHI
Androscoggin Bank of the work we do and why we must keep
TIMOTHY FOLSTER
Old Town
reminding the public just how important
it is to have a safe, reliable and efficient
Mainers travel
ALAN GOULD
White Cap / A.H. Harris
JASON GRIFFITHS
transportation system. 14.8 billion miles
a year (an
Even before the creation of the Federal-Aid
Pike Industries
STEPHEN JONES
Highway Act of 1956 – going back to the days
Treadwell Franklin Infrastructure
JEREMY JORDAN
of the King’s Highway (today known as U.S
Route 1), Maine can trace a straight connection increase of 1.5
percent). Ninety
Chadwick-BaRoss, Inc.
DANA KNAPP between investment in transportation and
Concord Coach Lines the well-being of its citizens and growth of its
PAUL KOZIELL
CPM Constructors
communities. billion dollars in
103 Park Street | P.O. Box 481 | Lewiston, ME 04243
freight moves
TREVOR KRAUS In 1970, the Maine State Highway
Irving Oil Terminals, Inc. Commission published A History of Maine
Phone: 207. 753. 7300 | Fax: 207. 753. 7310
over our
RODNEY LANE
Northeast Paving / Eurovia Atlantic Coast, LLC
Roads, 1600-1970, and it begins with a nod to
ROLAND LAVALLEE the earliest days when European settlers first
491 Main Street | Bangor ME 04401
Phone: 207. 404. 5360 | Fax: 207. 947. 7589
HNTB Corporation
BRUCE MANZER
came to the state. It tells a classic chicken-and-
egg story that links the early days of Maine’s
interstate
Anson
THOMAS MARTIN, JR. forest products industry with construction of highways in
www.SSASurety.com Greene
the region’s first road networks.
MIKE O’BRIEN
The Rowley Agency, Inc. Among the earliest roads were “mastways,” Maine.”
BRIAN RAYMOND according to the document: “Maine’s tall firs
Dirigo Materials
and spruce were a much-prized item as masts
BRUCE RIDEOUT
Bitumar, Inc. for the Royal Navy. Crews of men would cut the
STEPHEN SAWYER big trees and ‘swamp out’ a road to the nearest
Sebago Technics, Inc.
waterway. In the Portland area modern streets Harraseeket River.”
JASMINE STROUT
Green International Affliliates, Inc. follow early mastways to Fore River; and the John Fremont Hill, a businessman who
PAT SUGHRUE village square at Freeport is so shaped because served as Maine’s governor from 1901 to 1905,
Cianbro Corporation
of the room needed to swing the big sticks as was the first to call for a formal, public highway
CONRAD WELZEL
Saco they were dragged to Mast Landing at the system in the state in his inaugural address
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
MARIA FUENTES AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 MAINE TRAILS
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Augusta
along with the funding for that highway way to connect Maine with Boston and New Speaking about driving, it has been
system. The legislature agreed and passed a York, and a way to expand our connections to great traveling around the state to meet
law that called on towns to designate the roads markets and suppliers south of us. with members – at the Infrastructure Golf
that would become the network of state-aid It was sold to the nation as a great civil Classic, the Aroostook County Meeting, and
roads that form the backbone of Maine’s defense network, as well, and we should not Transportation on Tap – over the past few
transportation system. So even from the start, forget how, after World War II, we’d become months.
our public highways were the roads that were a nation with a heightened awareness of the I look forward to the events we have coming
most important to our towns. need to safeguard a way of life that worked for up this fall – the Convention and Fall Golf
Many of today’s BDN readers grew up after us. Today roads are as much about protecting Tournament, our last Transportation on Tap
the 50s, 60s and 70s and would not be familiar our way of life as ever. event in Freeport, and the PDH tour.
with the debate about building a vast network As more and more Mainers switch to electric So, as you’re driving on Maine’s highways
of modern highways stretching coast-to-coast, vehicles, we will need to step up our messaging this Fall to attend one of our events, please
that we now know as the interstate system. and make sure we work with our state leaders think back on the historic “mastways” that
Much of the debate had to do with cost, of to find a way to keep our vast network of roads, started it all. And let’s continue to advocate for
course. For Maine, the idea was both radical bridges, ferries, ports, and rail healthy – and maintaining and enhancing our transportation
and innovative. The interstate was seen as a Maine’s communities and economy thriving. system for future generations to look back on. n
MBTA C A L E N D A R
Friday, October 7, 2022 Thursday, December 1
PDH TOUR MAINE TRANSPORTATION CONFERENCE
Portland - Biddeford Augusta Civic Center
Thursday, October 20 Thursday, December 8
TRANSPORTATION ON TAP HOLIDAY-SCHOLARSHIP MEETING
Maine Beer Company, Freeport Black Bear Inn, Orono
5 p.m.
THE POWER
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5 2 U S R o u t e 1, S c a r b o r o u g h ( 2 07 ) 79 9 -153 8 8 0 0 -2 87-153 8 t d m g o.c o m Be a part of the transportation solution. Join MBTA. FMI: mbtaonline.org
10 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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ONRAMP
A DIGEST OF RECENT TRANSPORTATION NEWS
A podcast only a
Recent episodes have
included topics such as:
“Common Concrete Non-
transportation
conformities” (July 12,
2022); “Digging into Soil
Classification and Com-
nerd could love
paction Samples 185/186”
(June 14, 2022); and
T
“Ignition Oven Correction
his August, the podcast AASHTO re:source Q + A cel- Factors with Dr. Carolina
ebrated its second anniversary. If that sounds esoteric, you Rodezno” (December 21,
are definitely not a transportation engineer or planner. 2021). Two episodes this
The podcast, which was launched on August 3, 2020 summer have delved into the bible of materials standards which
with a snappy, under-2-minute broadcast in which Kim released a new edition this year. The first episode was titled “Updates
Swanson, communications manager at AASHTO Resource and to the 42nd Edition of AASHTO Materials Standards” (July 19,
Brian Johnson, AASHTO accreditation program manager, shared 2022) and featured guest Casey Soneira, AASHTO program man-
banter and the podcast’s goals. “The whole point of this podcast is ager for engineering. The second, titled “From the Cutting Room
to share more information with our customers and other interested Floor - Standards Development” (July 16, 2022), took a deeper dive
people in the transportation field about construction materials, test- into the process of standards development.
ing, inspection, quality management issues, continual improvement All of the episodes since the podcast launched are available
issues,” said Johnson, adding “things that are not necessarily top of on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts. They are also
mind for people, but we get these questions all the time.” at: www.buzzsprout.com/1246739. n
We’ve seen the future
A
nd the future commute to their jobs in cars,
is in golf carts. but the carts are immensely
Just ask the folks popular within the city limits.
of Peachtree High schoolers drive them to
City in Georgia. school, families use them to go
The suburb of Atlanta has to the store (with milk crates
developed a 100-mile network bungeed on the back), for ice
of trails that welcome golf cream or to cocktails with
carts, e-bikes and, of course, friends.
pedestrians for whom the Peachtree City even has a
trails were originally built golf cart featured in its city
going back to the late 1950s. seal. The Slate story also notes
As the city has evolved, so that in 2015, Harvard Business
have the trails – they’ve been School saw a bright future for
widened to 10 feet and paved – the small, somewhat slow, but
and the golf cart has become an accepted roughly 13,000 households. City regulations nimble vehicles when it was studying
form of transportation. don’t require cart drivers to have a state- whether Tesla would disrupt the trans-
Peachtree City Mayor Kim Learnard issued driver’s license, but operators do portation market. As Slate noted in its
told Slate magazine that her city have to be 16 years or older without an article, “Their conclusion: A ‘souped-up
(population 38,000) has more than adult present. Slate reported that insurance golf cart’ – not a Tesla – offered the most
10,000 registered golf carts among its is optional, but encouraged. People still transformative potential.” n
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022 MAINE TRAILS
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The new international bridge under
construction, viewed from the U.S. side of
the border. The old bridge can be seen on
the right.
The new international bridge under
construction, viewed from the Canadian
side of the border.
International International
DESCHAINE DIGITAL
DESCHAINE DIGITAL
bridge. relations.
C
The new Madawaska- onstruction machinery buzzes, beeps and hums in the
heart of this mill town as a new international bridge takes
Saint John River at about a 45-degree angle
some 1,400 feet upstream from the current
girders were due to be erected next, which Parker
termed “an important milestone in the project.”
Edmundston International
shape above the Saint John River. bridge. The temporary bridge provides access Parker said the company has prior experience
The Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge for workers to build the river piers and erect the with international bridges, having won the
Project has been underway since last year, with workers bridge superstructure. Because of the new angled contract in July 2014 to demolish the old bridge
Bridge is a boon for local placing concrete even in the coldest days of winter, and continuing
through the high 80s and even warmer days of midsummer.
alignment, the new structure will be nearly twice
the length of the existing bridge.
between Fort Kent, Maine, and Clair, New
Brunswick, after a new one was erected. “We
economies on both sides
Reed & Reed of Woolwich won the $86.5 million contract to were able to take some of the ‘lessons-learned’
construct the new bridge which will replace a century-old, 928- MEET IN THE MIDDLE from that project and apply them to this project,”
foot, four-span truss bridge that has been weight-limited to 5 tons While Reed & Reed is building the three piers he said.
of the border – and for – essentially the weight of a passenger vehicle – since October 2017.
Prior to that, the maximum allowable vehicle weight was 43.5 tons,
and one abutment on the U.S. side of the river, a
Canadian subcontractor, Greenfield Construction
With regard to the Madawaska-Edmundston
bridge, he added, “MaineDOT has been a
relations between an environmental impact assessment notes.
The total project cost will be $97.5 million, according to the
MaineDOT website, which notes: “In 2019, this project received a
of Miramichi, New Brunswick, is building the
two piers and the abutment on the Canadian side
of the Saint John River. The waterway itself forms
tremendous partner. Everybody’s committed to
getting this project built in the fastest amount of
time so those communities can be reconnected.”
regional governments $36-million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant
from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. The remaining costs
the boundary between the United States and
Canada for about 80 miles. The new bridge also
MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note
He also noted, “People in the local communities
have been helpful and supportive throughout
By Betty Adams are being shared by MaineDOT and NBDTI (the New Brunswick crosses over the Maine Northern Railway and construction.”
Department of Transportation and Infrastructure.)” Canadian National Railway lines that run along the banks of the river. Greg Letourneau, Reed & Reed senior superintendent at the
Reed & Reed has erected a low, temporary trestle bridge over the “It’s going well,” said Reed & Reed Chairman and CEO Jackson Madawaska site, said the temporary span is considered neutral
river that follows the alignment of the new bridge, that crosses the Parker in mid-August. “We’re pretty much right on schedule.” The steel territory. “The folks at the border have been a really big help to
14 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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MAINE TRAILS 15
Heavy equipment on the temporary bridge that is serving as a work platform for crews from Maine and New Brunswick. The Reed & Reed crew removes a concrete form from a recently poured bridge pier.
facilitate us getting things through our trestle,” above the ground,” said Letourneau. “We spent of Health and Human Services’ Food and cross-border travel was restricted.
REED & REED TOP; JESSICA LOWEL BELOW
REED & REED TOP; JESSICA LOWEL BELOW
he said, adding that part of the arrangement a lot of time working in cofferdams last year.” Drug Administration and the GSA. The new When the construction contract award for
requires that “You have to exit through the same Each bridge pier is on six-foot diameter caissons Land Port of Entry is scheduled to open in the bridge was announced in early April 2021,
border from which you come.” drilled into bedrock. late 2023 in conjunction with the new bridge. MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note
And the trestle bridge has three gates, all of The new bridge itself will be about 1,800 feet (The Canadian Border Services Agency facility said, “The year-long challenges associated with
which must be secured at the end of the workday. long and 45 feet wide, Letourneau said, with was built in 1992 and was determined to be the COVID-19 pandemic have laid bare the
Letourneau said communication between the two 12-foot-wide travel lanes, two six-foot-wide adequate.) importance of the connections between Maine
crews has been seamless. shoulders, one six-foot-wide sidewalk, plus and Canada. We are eager to move forward with
“Fortunately everybody’s bilingual that we curbs. Records show the existing bridge has a ‘VITAL CONNECTION POINTS’ this project to greatly improve one of these vital
work with over there.” During the summer bridge roadway width of 20 feet, 8 inches. The GSA also noted that the border crossing is connection points. This new bridge will improve
workers were putting in 10.5-11 hour days, with The new bridge will have a concrete sidewalk a major permit port in Maine, and listed annual safety and support economic activities on both
a smaller crew working half-days on Saturdays. and the oversized shoulders will be paved, as will usage: 16,258 southbound trucks processed; sides of the international border.”
About 60 people were working on the bridge the deck. Letourneau said the shoulders will have 1,251 southbound pedestrians crossed; Maine Governor Janet Mills visited the bridge
project in mid-August as the haunch girders more room to accommodate snowmobiles and 52 southbound buses processed; 431,903 construction site this year in mid-August, and
were being readied to go on the concrete piers. ATVs. southbound POVs (privately owned vehicles) was quoted in a media release saying, “Replacing
The seven-foot-tall straight girders (also known Twin Rivers Paper Company structures processed. the international bridge supports the safe travel
as closure girders) link them. dominate on both sides of the river. The specialty An Environmental Impact Assessment of American and Canadian residents and visitors
Reed & Reed CEO Jack Parker Code Enforcement Officer Denise Duperré
“There’s 350 feet between each set of piers paper firm has a pulp and energy complex Registration prepared for the Province of New alike, as well as the strength of small businesses
and four girders that make up that connection in Edmundston with the paper mill itself in Brunswick Department of Transportation who rely on the bridge to transport their products
to get there,” Letourneau said while viewing the work from the U.S. Madawaska. The company also has a utility bridge carrying a pipeline and Infrastructure in February 2018 by Stantec Consulting Ltd., of across our borders.”
side of the river. across the Saint John River downstream from the existing bridge. Fredericton, New Brunswick, says, “According to available data from The new bridge is rated to carry over 70 tons, according to the New
Below the second pier, rocks poke up from the riverbed, and Transport Canada, the Madawaska-Edmundston border crossing Brunswick study, and is projected to last a century.
Letourneau noted that the river can be shallow enough to walk across PORT OF ENTRY processed approximately 1,484,000 vehicles in 2016 (3,993 passenger
– except for a four-foot deep channel near the Canadian side. And towering atop the Reed & Reed bridge construction site is cars per day and 73 commercial trucks per day on average). While the ECONOMIC BOOM
another project underway: a new border crossing station or Land proportion of passenger vehicle traffic to commercial vehicle traffic The two construction projects – and the people working on them –
WILD AND DEEP Port of Entry in Madawaska on 10.7-acres near Mill and Main streets. is expected to remain roughly the same to the year 2030, traffic have provided a welcome economic boom to Madawaska, a town of
However, Letourneau noted the Saint John River can be wild and J&J Contractors Inc., of North Billerica, Massachusetts won a $44.5 volumes in general are predicted to increase by up to 10 percent by approximately 4,000 people.
deep as well, particularly during the freshet with water flowing in million contract and broke ground on the project last fall. 2030. The capacity of the bridge will be designed to accommodate “It’s the most popular international border crossing next to Houlton
from the Allagash Wilderness Waterway plus rain and melting snow In announcing that project, which has a total cost of $65 million, the anticipated increase in traffic.” to capture the maritime and Quebec traffic because Edmundston is
from Canada, as the Saint John River rushes to empty into the Bay the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) noted that the new Despite all the construction and the ongoing papermaking and train a city hub and the (Trans-Canada Highway) passes through it,” said
of Fundy. building will house offices for these agencies: the Department of movements, border crossings continue on the weight-limited bridge. Denise Duperré, code enforcement officer, administrative assistant
“There’s almost as much of a bridge below ground as there is Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, the Department However, volumes were significantly lower during the pandemic when and addressing officer for the Town of Madawaska.
16 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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MAINE TRAILS 17PLANT LOCATIONS:
American Superior 982 Minot Ave., Auburn, Maine 04210
Concrete Concrete
Phone: 207-784-1388 | Fax: 866-414-9083
Industries 1717 Stillwater Ave., Veazie, Maine 04401
GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
Phone: 207-947-8334 | Fax: 866-414-9083
Maine Governor Janet Mills (second from left) toured the job site in August of this year with Madawaska Town Manager Gary Picard, Maine House
Transportation Committee Chair Representative Danny Martin, Maine Representative John Martin, and Maine Senate President Troy Jackson.
“That old bridge was not conducive to the With the new bridge open, Duperré said,
industrial traffic that it was seeing, let alone the things will be “back to normal.”
tourism, etc.,” said Duperré. In particular, she is looking forward to a
She said the townspeople helped transportation smooth crossing over the new Madawaska-
officials see the value of having the recreational Edmundston bridge on her snowmobile.
lanes – essentially the wider shoulders – on the “I’m an avid snowmobiler,” she said. “I had
new bridge. to bring my sled over a four-and-one-half-inch
“People are getting green, so they’re biking metal lip with carbide skis, which is hard because
and they’re walking, and if you’re going to walk that’s metal on metal and then I had to ride the
across this bridge every day, and the tourists grated cement. It was torture. It was literally
are going to come and cross it every day, why torture on your sled and on us.”
not make it a focal point as well? This is where Currently she goes upstream to Fort Kent or
the Acadians first landed, and Edmundston is downstream to Van Buren to cross on concrete-
a city, so their tourism dollars are huge. So it surfaced bridges in the regular traffic lanes.
was in their interest as well to have something On the new bridge in Madawaska, the
worth taking the traffic off the Trans Canada and Senior Superintendent Greg Letourneau snowmobiles, ATVs and UTVs will have their
making them come to the border.” own recreational lanes in those wider shoulders.
She noted that Reed & Reed worked with the local chamber of “Now, you’re not stopping traffic by crossing on your sled or your UTV
commerce to have job fairs when the project started. and you’re keeping the flow going, the pedestrians, the recreational
“Hotels are full, what little houses are for sale are sold. It brought vehicles and all the other traffic,” she said.
that economic impact into the area, as well as restaurants. These Gary Dufour, one of the directors of the Madawaska Four Corners
people have to eat and (have) services. They’re buying things, gas, Park – a destination for bikers seeking to complete one of the Southern
so it’s good for the economy. It’s a good injection, especially right California Motorcycle Association’s USA Four Corners Tours – and a
after COVID.” motorcycle rider for more than 45 years, is looking forward to a wider
The new configuration for traffic from across the border – which and better bridge surface to replace the grating on the existing bridge.
will leave the customs area and either head to Main Street or to the “The old bridge is not friendly to motorcycles,” he said. “If you get
entrance of the Two Rivers mill – will be an improvement as well, narrow tires on there you ride side to side.”
particularly when the heavier tankers, trucks and B-trains come New Brunswick’s Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jill
through. Green noted in a news release in April 2021, “This international
bridge is more than just a piece of infrastructure: it is an important
‘BACK TO NORMAL’ link that brings communities and countries together. This project
Currently the five-ton weight limit on the existing bridge in Madawaska will contribute to our priority of energizing the private sector by
forces tankers and other trucks to cross in Van Buren or Fort Kent. The facilitating the movement of people and goods. This will allow our
new bridge will allow those heavy vehicles to access the Trans-Canada businesses to remain competitive while fostering economic growth
Highway in Edmundston for a much speedier and less circuitous route in the region.” n
west.
She says the area – with the city of Edmundston (population 16,500), ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Betty Adams is a freelance writer and journalism instructor.
New Brunswick, just across the river – has all the conveniences. She lives in Augusta and can be reached at adamsbetty00@gmail.com.
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MAINE TRAILS 19MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS
Sanford on the rise
MaineDOT, Sanford awarded $25m in USDOT RAISE Grant
Funds for the Downtown Sanford Village Partnership Initiative
I
Submitted by the City of Sanford MaineDOT’s Safe Routes to School Program, MaineDEP’s 319 Grant
n 2014, former University of New Hampshire classmates and city Program, and other state-municipal cooperative agreements.
engineers Matt Hill and Mike Casserly were talking about the level Sanford also has cultivated strong relationships with local quasi-
of effort that would be needed to rebuild downtown Sanford: “We municipal underground utilities such as the Sanford Sewerage District
need a TIGER Grant and Concord, New Hampshire just got one. and Sanford Water District by frequently discussing the Five-Year
We should see how they did it.” Thus began Sanford Engineering Roadway CIP plan and finding mutual areas of maintenance and capital
Division’s effort to find the support and funding necessary to revitalize investment.
the urban core of the city of Sanford. MaineDOT Project Manager Ernie Martin, partnering with Sanford
Former MaineDOT Region 1 Engineer Kyle Hall, while on a tour of on several of these projects, was part of the team that ultimately
Sanford Public Works shortly thereafter, noted that capital investments approached Sanford with the idea to bundle them into a RAISE Grant
are most successful when supported by a firm local commitment to application in 2022.
maintain the infrastructure. Hill believed that this
City Engineer Hill (Casserly would be a game-changer,
has since retired from the “By that time,” he recalled,
department) was new to the “there was a good density of
public works director position projects including downtown
in Sanford and took that proper already in design and
comment to heart and began following Federal guidelines
to formalize Sanford’s routine in Sanford. When we received
Track. Analyze. maintenance programs,
DPW Standard Operating
the USDOT Notice of Funding
Opportunity (NOFO) and saw
Predict.
Procedures, closely budget and the respective merit criteria,
track capital investment costs, we knew we’d be a great
and had a pavement conditions candidate.”
study performed by the BETA The merit criteria of the
Group at the direction of City NOFO closely mirrored
Manager Steve Buck. S a n f o r d ’s p r a c t i c e s o f
The pavement conditions revitalizing the community
study made dynamic through partnerships and
See how Mobil Serv can help your business.
SM
collaboration, innovation,
recommendations on
infrastructure investment economic competitiveness,
■ Track and analyze all asset-related activity budgets that were presented bettering quality of life,
■ Streamline maintenance workflows to the Sanford City Council environmental sustainability,
■ Predict performance outcomes and supported on a grass- safety improvement, and
■ Drive consistency and efficiency throughout the organization roots level in Sanford maintaining a state of good
through the annual capital repair. Many of those practices
improvement program (CIP) had been featured in Sanford’s
Find out how to reduce downtime and streamline reports and maintenance requests.
and a notable voter-approved Downtown PPI application to
Brenntag Lubricants is conveniently located near you in Westbrook, ME and Hampden, ME. MaineDOT in 2019.
construction bond passed in
2019 and built in 2020. By Chris Mann, public service
Scan the code or call 1-800-426-7754 to learn more. continuing to fully-fund the coordinator in MaineDOT’s
Roadway CIP, Sanford has Results & Information
been able to plan ahead and O f f i c e , D a l e D o u g h t y,
CIT Y OF SA NFORD
find matching opportunities director of the MaineDOT’s
for its capital dollars through Planning Office, and Andrew
Ma i n e D O T ’s P l a n n i n g Bickmore, director of Results
Partnership Initiative (PPI) The RAISE grant projects cover a large area of Sanford’s city center and have been designed to & Information, led the RAISE
and Municipal Partnership “rebuild” the downtown by improving safety, attracting business and improving the quality of Grant application process and
Initiative (MPI) programs, life for local residents. contracted Bluejay Advisors
20 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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21MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS
Cold wave
to write the proposal. a continuous 10-foot wide multi-modal path. The Promenade will
Matt Hill gathered and organized local supporting materials embrace a highly walkable downtown and act as a key connector for
including municipal initiatives from Sanford’s municipal department Sanford’s extensive bicycle and pedestrian trails network.
heads, progress plans and studies from consultants including VHB, COTTAGE STREET / ROUTE 202: A principal arterial into Sanford
Gorrill Palmer Consulting Engineers, Aceto Landscape Architects, and and its downtown, Cottage Street (Route 202) will have improvements
Titcomb Associates. of 0.7 miles. The project will preserve the unique architecture along the
Hill also solicited about three dozen letters of support including,
but not limited to, those from: Maine’s congressional and legislative
street and provide improved access to Sanford’s Historic Mill District.
WASHINGTON STREET: Washington Street also acts as a key Groundbreaking for new cold storage facility in Portland
A
delegations; Governor Janet Mills; municipal leaders; state and downtown connector into the Historic Mill District and will see
fter seven years of stops and Infrastructure and Eimskip in 2018, which chain logistics. Cold storage has always been
starts, ground has been broken put together the successful design proposal part of the master plan,” Burns told the
on a massive, 107,000-square- that is now under construction. The facility Portland Press Herald. “That demand for food
foot Maine International Cold is being built on land MaineDOT deeded to and beverage products and cold storage did
Storage Facility on the Portland the Maine Port Authority and is adjacent to not decline and wane during the pandemic,
waterfront. The groundbreaking ceremony the International Marine Terminal and an it seemed to get stronger.”
was held on August 22. active freight rail line and has access to the Refrigerated storage next to the
CITY OF SANF ORD
Located on Commercial Street next to interstate. International Marine Terminal container
Maine’s sole shipping container terminal, the With the new facility, European cargo port will likely draw new customers, including
Portland Press Herald reported the warehouse shippers who would otherwise have to clients of Eimskip, the Icelandic shipping
has been touted as critical to expanding temporarily store food in Boston can deliver company that specializes in transporting
Sanford Department of Public Works front office staff and division supervisors. From left to right: Juliana Paulette, Peter Smith, Matt Provencher, Deneiker Smith-McLeod, freight through Portland and giving Maine their goods to Portland, where there is less cold and frozen freight, according to Tom
Matt Hill, Scott Robitaille, and Don Cabana (not pictured Nancy LeBrun). food and beverage companies a competitive port congestion and easy rail access to markets O’Shaughnessy, co-founder of Amber
local chambers of commerce; Maine Department of Environmental approximately 0.2 miles of improvements which will include replacing edge and access to world markets. on the east coast. The facility, which will cover Infrastructure. Since starting trips to Portland
Protection; Maine Department of Health and Human Services; York the traffic signal at Washington, High, and River Streets. The Maine Port Authority originally issued 107,000 square feet at the western end of the in 2013, Eimskip, the sole company landing at
County Emergency Management Agency; Portsmouth Naval Shipyard; SCHOOL STREET: School Street will see 0.2 miles of connectivity a call for proposals to design, build, finance harbor, will have capacity for about 22,000 the terminal, has increased freight volume by
local utilities; York County Community Action Coalition; Bicycle improvements for downtown businesses and Central Park access. and operate a cold storage facility near the pallets. It will have an estimated economic 20 percent on average per year, with almost
Coalition of Maine, York County Soil & Water Conservation District; EMERSON STREET PARK-AND-RIDE: A Park-and-Ride city’s International Marine Terminal in 2014. impact of $500 million to $900 million each 38,2000 containers being handled at Portland
Sanford’s Friends of Downtown; private stakeholders; and Maine Better facility will be built on Emerson Street to serve the Portsmouth Naval Americold, in partnership with shipper year. docks last year.
Transportation Association. Shipyard and other regional employers. The park and ride will be built Eimskip, was selected as the preferred bidder Pandemic disruptions delayed permitting “I think bottom line, we are open for
The project consists of the following: with sustainability in mind, with an emphasis on rideshare options, in 2015, but the company pulled out during and construction plans, but also demonstrated business. Any carrier that wants to move
MAIN STREET: The complete reconstruction of approximately 0.5 vanpools, micro-transit, and EV charging station opportunities. the permitting process when neighbors a continued need for refrigerated storage in containers and freight through International
miles of Sanford’s Main Street (Route 109) in the heart of downtown MULTIMODAL AND SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS: The project objected to the height of the proposed design. Maine, said Matt Burns, executive director of Marine Terminal, we are open to that,” Burns
and includes widening sidewalks, installation of energy-efficient will improve safety aspects on all the streets involved for pedestrians, Enter the partnership of the Amber the Maine Port Authority. “We have always said.
streetlights, parking improvements, and communications to include motorists, and all road users; it will modernize infrastructure to attract Infrastructure Group, Treadwell Franklin known there is significant demand for cold A cold storage building is the latest in a
new fiber optic conduits for SanfordNet Fiber. SanfordNet Fiber potential employers, commercial, and residential development; and
Optic is a 45-mile municipally-owned network capable of supporting meet MaineDOT standards.
significant innovative growth in the city’s downtown and mill districts. In looking ahead to the improvements, Hill also wanted to give a
WILLIAM OSCAR HENRY DRIVE-RIVERSIDE AVENUE- nod to city workers who have worked hard for the city to maintain its
MOUSAM PROMENADE: Improvements to roughly 0.5 miles of infrastructure. He said: “I’d especially like to recognize the Sanford
William Oscar Emery Drive and Riverside Avenue to encompass Public Works Department, an invaluable team who has maintained this
the Mousam Promenade. The Mousam Promenade, approximately city through thick and thin. They don’t get a lot of recognition, but they
2.5 kilometers (or half of a 5K route), is a circumferential street are out there every day working hard. It will be up to all of us to see
improvement around Sanford’s Number One Pond that will include this job through and maintain this investment for Sanford’s future.” n
MAINE PORT AUTHOR ITY
Raising a shovel to celebrate the new cold storage facility in Portland (left to right): George Campbell, TFIC chair and advisory board member; Andrew Nelson, TFIC partner
and executive VP; MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note; Maine Governor Janet Mills; Tom O’Shaughnessy, Amber Infrastructure principal; Maine Port Authority Executive
Director Matthew Burns; and Portland Mayor Kate Snyder.
22 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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23MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS MAINE NEWS
series of upgrades transforming the container said at the groundbreaking ceremony. “With sentiment, saying it would be a boon for pedestrians killed increased by 18 percent involved crashes rose by nine percent from The U.S. has a $146 billion backlog in
terminal from an abandoned space Portland this new and much-needed state-of-the-art Maine’s food and beverage industry, and for (from 6,205 to 7,342) and the number of 2019 to 2020, and by five percent from 2020 to needed roadway safety improvements,
used for a snow dump to a hive of activity. cold storage facility, we are expanding Maine’s commercial fishing. bicyclists killed increased by 16 percent (from 2021. The number of unrestrained occupants according to a 2017 report from the AAAFTS.
More investment is planned in coming years competitive edge on the international stage by “With this new facility, food manufacturers, 846 to 985). Pedestrian and bicycle deaths of passenger vehicles killed increased fifteen The report found implementing cost-effective
to accommodate additional container storage, ensuring that businesses are able to keep food wholesalers and retailers will no longer need accounted for 19 percent of all traffic fatalities percent from 2019 to 2020, and three percent and needed roadway safety improvements
allow larger ships and lure more shipping production, storage, and distribution local — to rely on out-of-state providers to ship food in 2021. from 2020 to 2021. The number of people on U.S. roadways would save approximately
companies to port, said Burns. rather than out of state — and saving them products originating in Maine,” she said. The TRIP report cites several sources in killed in speeding-related traffic crashes 63,700 lives and reduce the number of
“The working waterfront is a staple of money on transportation costs. This is a win Construction on the facility, estimated its examination of the trend, including data climbed eleven percent from 2019 to 2020, serious injuries as a result of traffic crashes by
Portland and an important facet of our for our fishermen, our local businesses, and to cost $55 million, is expected to ramp up from the National Highway Traffic Safety and five percent from 2020 to 2021. approximately 350,000 over a 20-year period.
economy, supporting commercial fishermen our economy – and I am glad to get it done in substantially by October and is scheduled to Administration (NHTSA) and The AAA The severity of traffic crashes also increased, Additional funding for improved roadway
and facilitating international trade that has a climate-friendly way.” open in February 2024. n Foundation for Traffic Safety safety has been provided by
put Maine on the map,” Governor Janet Mills Portland Mayor Kate Snyder shared that (AAAFTS). the bipartisan Infrastructure
The significant increase Investment and Jobs Act
in traffic fatalities since (IIJA), which provides a
TRIP REPORT the onset of the pandemic significant boost in federal
appears largely related to investment in roads, bridges
2-year traffic fatality surge
increased risks being taken and transit and offers an
by drivers, according to data opportunity for the nation to
from NHTSA. make progress in improving
AAAFTS drew similar the safety, reliability and
T
conclusions about the role condition of America’s
he number of traffic fatalities in 2020 was 11 percent lower than in 2019, on pace with the 10 percent increase in vehicle
of increased risks being transportation system. The
the U.S. surged by 19 percent from dropping from 3.3 trillion vehicle miles of travel during the same time, and the highest
taken by drivers during IIJA provides $454 billion
2019 to 2021. The report from travel to 2.9 trillion. However, despite the number recorded since 2005. The traffic
the pandemic, noting that over the five-year period from
TRIPNET.ORG
The Road Information Program significant decrease in vehicle travel from fatality rate in 2021 rose to 1.35 fatalities per
drivers who maintained or 2022 to 2026 for investment
(TRIP) was released on June 29 2019 to 2020, the overall number of traffic 100 million vehicle miles of travel.
increased their pre-COVID in highways and transit,
and details the relationship between traffic fatalities during the same time increased by The chart on page 25 shows the percentage
travel levels indicated that resulting in a 38 percent
levels and fatalities for those two years. Titled eight percent (from 36,096 to 38,824) and change from 2019 to 2020 and 2021 in U.S.
they were more likely to engage in risky according to an analysis of the share of traffic increase in federal investment in 2022. The
Addressing America’s Traffic Safety Crisis: the traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle vehicle travel, the number of traffic fatalities
driving behavior, including speeding, not crash patients treated by emergency medical IIJA provides additional resources to address
Examining the Causes of Increasing U.S. miles of travel increased by 21 percent (from and the traffic fatality rate per 100 million
wearing a seat belt, being impaired and services (EMS) who were evaluated as having traffic safety, including: $6 billion for the Safe
Traffic Fatalities and Identifying Solutions 1.11 to 1.34). vehicle miles of travel. Data for Maine lists
driving aggressively. severe injuries. In 2020, the share of patients Streets and Roads for All program; $17 billion
to Improve Road User Safety, the report In 2021, as COVID-related restrictions traffic fatalities in 2019 at 157, in 2020 at 164,
“It is possible that many of the individuals treated by EMS at vehicle crashes who had for the Highway Safety Improvement Program
examines the counterintuitive and dramatic gradually lifted, U.S. vehicle travel increased and in 2021 at 162, an overall change of three
who were willing to travel – and even severe injuries was 21 percent higher than in (HSIP); $4 billion for improved crash data and
increase in traffic fatalities that occurred to approximately 3.2 trillion miles, a 10 percent. Miles travelled during those years
increase their travel – despite the health risks 2019. Through the first eight months of 2021, vehicle, behavior, and truck safety programs;
even as vehicle travel rates plummeted by 40 percent increase over 2020 levels, but still was 14,871, 13,086 and 14,299, a decrease of
associated with the pandemic were already the share of patients who had severe injuries $300 million for rural road safety; and $120
percent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. three percent below 2019’s pre-pandemic four percent.
more willing than average to take other risks,” was 17 percent higher than in 2019. million for tribal road safety. n
But by October 2020, U.S. vehicle travel levels. From 2020 to 2021 the number of Bicycle and pedestrian fatalities also
the AAAFTS report found. Increasing investment in roadway safety
rebounded to within nine percent of October traffic fatalities increased by approximately increased significantly over pre-pandemic
Data from NHTSA indicates the number improvements is likely to pay off in the form FMI: To learn nore visit tripnet.org.
2019 levels. Overall U.S. vehicle travel in 11 percent (from 38,824 to 42,915), roughly levels. From 2019 to 2021, the number of
of people killed in police-reported alcohol of reduced fatal and serious traffic crashes.
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24 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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25A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S
Power to the people?
Proposed voter referendum on public owned electric
utility topic of Aroostook County meeting
W
hat would happen if Maine voters pass a ballot question meeting sponsors: Innovator sponsors Northeast Paving, Sargent, Team
to create a state government authority to take over and EJP, and VHB; and Pathfinder sponsor The Rowley Agency.
operate Central Maine Power and Versant Power? Grande gave a quick summary of the discussion at the MBTA Board
That was the question on the table at the MBTA 2022 of Directors meeting held earlier that day.
Aroostook County Meeting at the Northeastland Hotel Grande then introduced Cohen, who is a partner with the law firm
in Presque Isle on August 4, and according to Jim Cohen, the answer Verrill Dana LLP and is a former mayor of Portland and former chair of
is worrisome. Cohen, a lawyer specializing in energy law, was the guest the city’s Transportation Committee, as well as the current board chair
speaker at the meeting where he spoke on behalf of the Maine Affordable of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority.
Energy Coalition. Cohen, for his
MBTA President part, introduced the
To n y Grande work of the Maine
welcomed more than Affordable Energy
50 MBTA members Coalition, a group
and their guests and that is advocating
introduced special against a proposed
guests, including citizens’ referendum
Trisha House from that may appear
U.S. Senator Susan o n t h e s t at e w i d e
Collins’ office and ballot in 2023. The
new member Albert proposed referendum
Withee of Withee calls for creation of a
Materials Testing. Maine government
Jim Cohen (left) spoke about a citizen’s initiative to establish a public-owned electric utility. MBTA President Tony
He also thanked the authority to take over
Grande (right) served as emcee for the evening meeting.
Top left: Glenn Adams and Carl Soderberg. Top right: Will Dacey, Christy Chamberland, Philip Sirois, Drew Blier, and Ryan Pelletier. Bottom left: Cody Jean, Albert Withee, Bruce
Rideout, and Steve Wolf. Bottom right: Jan Murchison and Lynn Frazier. Jan was the winner of the 50-50 Raffle and donated her winnings to the MBTA Scholarship Fund.
Many thanks, Jan!
26 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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27A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S
Chris Putnam and Chip Sheldon (left). Jim Braley, Cody Jean, Glenn Adams, Tim Folster, Tim LePage, and Eric Ritchie (right).
Erik Wiberg and Stephen Jones (left). Tony Grande and Jasmine Strout (right).
We Provide Innovative Solutions
For Engineering Challenges
Tim Ring, Eleanora Ring, Paige Lane, and Rodney Lane (left). Paul Bradbury, Alan Gould, and Tony Grande (right).
and operate Central Maine Power and Versant are currently on the hook for $9 billion in debt purchase Maine’s two power companies would
Power, the two major electric energy suppliers and their electric bills remain well above the be $13.5 billion, a cost that many believe would
Maine’sOff-Site
Maine’s Off-Site Human
Human Resource
ResourceDepartment.
Department. in Maine. national average. only increase the cost per kilowatt of power
Servicing the Blue-Collar Industry Statewidefrom
Servicing the Blue-Collar Industry Statewide from The coalition to date has gained support Cohen said Nebraska provided another for Maine power users. Originally, organizers
Production
ProductiontotoConstruction and everything
everythingininbetween.
between.
from some political heavy hitters, including cautionary tale. The state established a network had hoped to collect enough signatures to have
Construction and the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, the of government-owned and managed power the issue on the 2022 ballot, and the effort has
Certified
Certified Flagger Statewide
Flagger Statewide Sportsman Alliance of Maine, and the Maine districts more than 100 years ago. The state’s been extended with hopes of gathering the
DBE
DBE AFL-CIO. electrical grid is ranked 49th for modernization required 63,000 signatures in time to qualify
Cohen presented the coalition’s major and has been slow to adopt efficiencies and for the 2023 statewide ballot.
Call
Callany
any of
of our
our 54 locations
locations for
formore
more talking points: that similar efforts in other convert to renewable energy sources. Jan Murchison was the lucky winner of the
information & quote.
quote.
states and municipalities have proven Another case highlighted was Boulder, 50-50 Raffle, and she generously gave her
information & expensive for taxpayers and, in some cases, led Colorado, where voters approved a tax to winnings of $186 to the Scholarship Fund.
to mismanagement during times of crisis. One fund the takeover of the local power company Thank you Jan! n
MAINE OFFICES
MAINE OFFICES case is that of the Long Island Power Authority, in 2011 because they were frustrated with the
a publicly owned power supplier that was first company’s lack of work to convert to renewable FMI: Visit MaineAffordableEnergy.org. To learn more
BREWER:
HAMPDEN: 41Main
586 Acme Road,
Road MEME
North, 04412
04444 Services New England Offices
established in 1998. In the intervening years, energy. In 2020, residents voted to abandon about upcoming MBTA events and get involved with
there have been several legal battles over that effort after taxpayers had spent $29 the organization, visit www.MBTAonline.org, and Maine
Phone 207-989-1990 Fax 207-989-1978 • Land Surveying/Aerial • Eliot, ME
Phone 207-989-1990 Fax 207-989-1978 Mapping & Laser Scanning
pension funding and other issues. The original million in legal fees pursuing a public utility. Better Transportation Association on Facebook and
• Yarmouth, ME purchase price was $6.7 billion, but customers Cohen noted that the estimated cost to Instagram.
GORHAM: 358 Main Street, ME 04038 • Planning, Environmental &
• Manchester, NH
SKOWHEGAN: 91 Madison
Phone 207-839-5060 FaxAvenue, ME 04976
207-839-9060 Traffic
• Merrimack, NH
Phone 207-474-5900 Fax 207-474-5994 • Highway, Rail, Airport &
SKOWHEGAN: 91 Madison Avenue, ME 04976 Maritime Design • Boston, MA
Phone 207-474-5900
TURNER: FaxRoad,
287A Auburn 207-474-5994
ME 04282 • Bridge Design & Inspection • Worcester, MA
• Needham, MA
Phone 207-225-5627 Fax 207-225-5629 • Construction Management &
TURNER: 1355 Auburn Road, ME 04282 Inspection • Glastonbury, CT
Phone 207-225-5627 Fax 207-225-5629 • Energy Services • Warwick, RI
SANFORD: 15 Daigle Lane, Ste. 104, ME 04073
Phone 207-206-7290
SANFORD: FaxSte.
15 Daigle Lane, 207-206-7291
104, ME 04073 www.wsp.com
Phone 207-206-7290 Fax 207-206-7291 Stephen Jones, John Thebarge, Erik Wiberg, Chris Pyne, and Adam Theriault (left). Chase Dunn and Rudy Bretzke (right).
28 MAINE TRAILS AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2022
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