While the legislature continues to grapple with a bond issue, designed in part, to save the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic rail line in northern Maine, Gov. Baldacci, Sen. Collins, MM&A officials and shippers met in Bangor with Joe Szabo, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. The MM&A is scheduled to abandon the tracks in the near future because of heavy financial losses. Still, some 20 business and up to 1700 jobs depend on the line for the transport of goods.

All parties agreed on the importance of the rail line as a vital economic corridor through the northern counties.  The concept of a "public-private" partnership emerged from the meeting. What that means and how it would be implemented is not known at this time.

Wayne Davis, TrainRiders/Northeast Chairman, commented:

"It's heartening to see the positive response to Senator Collins's request a few weeks ago for federal assistance on this issue.  The added bonus of having the FRA Administrator and staff participate in hearings in Maine rather than conducting them in Washington has allowed all stakeholders to participate.  Face to face encounters with some of the 20 Maine businesses and close to 2000 Maine workers who would be out of work with the collapse of the service will make it harder for the administration to ignore Maine's plea."

An excellent report (text & video) is available on the WABI website. Go here.