Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – State officials joined citizens, business and community leaders from across Aroostook County at the University of Maine at Presque Isle Oct. 6 to consider the future of Maine rail service. In order to determine where and how to best make passenger and freight rail investments over the next 10 years, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is in the process of developing the Maine State Rail Plan, an analysis into the state rail system’s strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. The public meeting in Presque Isle allowed northern Maine residents to help with the analysis by providing their thoughts on two important questions:
• What are the most pressing statewide and regional rail issues and barriers over the next five to 10 years; and
• What criteria should Maine use to prioritize rail investments?
On hand to discuss the plan and Maine Maritime and Atlantic’s proposed discontinuance of rail service from Millinocket to Madawaska, and the impact that decision would have on Aroostook County businesses and future rail service to the area, were: Dennis Coffey, manager, HNTB Corp., an infrastructure consulting firm; David Cole, commissioner, MDOT; Carol Morris, Morris Communications; and Nathan Moulton, MDOT.
Dozens turned out to take part in the discussion, with many sharing comments on what they’d like to see happen with the rail system in coming years.
“Speaking as a citizen, I’ve seen a decline (in population). People leave the area because there are no jobs. Maine Maritime abandoning the rail is an opportunity for us. Without good transportation, business suffers. I think we should have passenger rail. We could connect with Quebec. That could be an argument for high-speed rail,” said Professor Claire Davidshofer, of Presque Isle.
Coffey noted that passenger service had been focused in southern Maine, due to population, but that it was something to take into consideration for the future of Maine’s rail system.
A representative from J.D. Irving said in excess of 10,000 truckloads of products were shipped via rail annually throughout the state, to other states and Canada.
“Most (areas) we can’t reach via truck. We’ve invested heavily in (rail) infrastructure in the state at sidings, switches – technology you’ll only find in Maine. I see two pros: economic and reducing our carbon footprint,” said the Irving representative.
John Edgecomb, an NMDC board member, expressed the importance of maintaining the existing rail line to ensure economic growth in Aroostook.
“Someone needs to step forward, and the only ones able to looks to be the state or federal government. We can’t give up 231 miles of rail. We’ve done a good job on road industry, now we need to apply some of that philosophy to the rail system,” said Edgecomb. “We talk a lot about carbon footprint, hybrid cars. A lot can be done with railroad by making them successful.”
Diane Martin, executive assistant at the Loring Applied Technology Center, said rail service was a major asset to the state and served as an economic tool the Loring Development Authority has used over the years to try to attract businesses to the former air base. “Companies looking to set up shop in the County often ask about rail service to the area,” said Martin.
Larry Clark, executive director of the Presque Isle Industrial Council, explained how the city’s intermodal system used the local rail line to move wind turbine components over the past couple years.
“It is imperative and essential that those 240 miles of rail be acquired by the state. Presque Isle acquired five miles of rail and we didn’t stop there. City officials were concerned over the loss of rail to businesses at the Industrial Park,” explained Clark.
Clark said having commercial rail is critical to those who need it.
“With the state’s help, an intermodal yard was created at the Industrial Park, which met with limited success – an inability to market, due to a lack of funds and equipment became another issue,” he said, noting lesser lines often struggle compared to Class 1 connections that service larger markets.
Clark described how the intermodal yard has served for months as the storage site for wind mill components.
“The company leased the yard from April through the end of September. Components came from Florida. Rail was the least expensive way to get the product here. The company brought nacelles, hubs here. We had blades stored here two years ago for the Mars Hill project. They’ve developed rail car so they could be shipped by rail and also laid down a section that allows shipment of tower sections – the mid and upper section can be shipped by rail,” said Clark.
Clark said he questioned why anyone would want to ship wind turbine components miles from their destinations. He was told that if shipments were within 300 miles of where they were destined, it was considered feasible.
“Those components ended up in Oakfield, Lincoln and Nova Scotia,” said Clark. “Some interesting, underutilized assets (the rail lines) are in northern Maine. With the right help and marketing, they could enhance the economy. But it has to be a partnership; if we just had an opportunity to work as partners, with some financial assistance, we could increase rail shipments in and out of the area.”
Coffey said he was familiar with the area’s use of rail service for pulp and paper products, which make up the bulk of shipments out of the area, but he hadn’t considered the possibilities through the LDA and Presque Isle’s intermodal system.
All present agreed that rail service is beneficial to Aroostook and should be continued.
“Loss of rail is a major concern,” said Clark, noting the importance of having access to rail to promote future industrial development. “The city and the Industrial Council need it.”
MMA fell victim like many other businesses to the slumping market over the past year. Mills that once served as major clients of the railroad went offline. The loss of such customers left MMA officials scrambling to deal with the losses – resulting in the company’s recent discussion of discontinuing over 200 miles of rail line, much of which runs through Aroostook. If the state picks up the rail line, MMA could then focus on customer service and maintaining equipment.
Two other hearings were held downstate garnering similar results, with attendees in agreement that Maine needs its rail service. HNTB officials said additional hearings are planned before the end of the year, once the draft rail plan has been completed.
