Statement of Fact 

Decisions affecting the State’s transportation network involve public policy choices that directly affect the well-being of Maine people, the State’s economic vitality and the quality of life that the citizens treasure and seek to protect. These decisions have had profound, long-lasting and sometimes detrimental impacts on the public health and natural resources of the State, including its air quality, land and water. Substantial portions of the highway system are in disrepair and improvements to certain of the State’s roads and bridges are needed to provide an adequate transportation network throughout the State. 

The State’s transportation network is heavily dependent on foreign oil and the health and long-term stability of Maine’s economy require increased reliance on more efficient forms of transportation. Additionally, Maine has diverse transportation needs arising from a unique mix or rural and urban populations and the special mobility requirements of the elderly and disabled that must be incorporated into transportation planning. Finally, decisions of state agencies regarding transportation needs and facilities are often made in isolation, without sufficient comprehensive planning and opportunity for meaningful public input and guidance. 

This initiative has 3 major sections designed to ensure that transportation decisions and the substantial commitments of public funds resulting from them are made in the context of a comprehensive, statewide transportation policy that addresses the concerns listed above. 

First, the initiative establishes a statewide transportation policy that: 

1. Requires evaluation of the full range of alternatives to highway construction or reconstruction and gives preference to nonconstruction alternatives, such as traffic management and public transit systems, to meet transportation needs; 

2. Minimizes public health and environmental impacts of transportation decisions; 

3. Establishes a public participation process for municipal and citizen involvement in transportation planning and decisions; 

4. Promotes use of energy-efficient forms of transportation and discourages transportation modes reliant on foreign oil; 

5. Integrates land use planning decisions with transportation planning decisions; and 

6. Ensures that the State’s transportation network meets the diverse needs of rural and urban populations, as well as the mobility requirements of the elderly and the disabled. 

The Department of Transportation is to establish rules to implement this policy in conjunction with the Maine Turnpike Authority and other relevant state agencies. Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority transportation decisions must comply with this policy. 

Second, the initiative deauthorizes the widening of the Maine Turnpike from Exit 1 to Exit 6-A and requires that any future proposals to widen the turnpike comply with the transportation policy. The initiative does not alter the existing requirement that the Legislature approve future turnpike widening proposals. 

Third, the initiative requires the transfer of surplus money collected by the Maine Turnpike Authority to the Department of Transportation. Once transferred to the Department of Transportation, this money is available for road and bridge projects throughout the State that are consistent with the statewide transportation policy. Under the initiative, the Legislature must approve the Maine Turnpike authority’s budget and expenditures. 

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