AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Paul LePage announced Tuesday that the Maine Department of Transportation will slow work on a feasibility study for an east-west highway through rural and central Maine.
The move came a day after Sen. Doug Thomas, R-Ripley, a longtime supporter of the project, revealed that he had asked the LePage administration for assurances that the state would not use eminent domain to seize private property if the project moves forward toward construction.
Thomas said constituent concerns spurred the request.
“I’m just listening to my constituents,” he told the Bangor Daily News on Monday. “I don’t think they have anything to worry about but they’re convinced that they do. I think it’s still a good idea, but I think that we need to slow it down.”
The governor apparently concurred. In a release issued Tuesday, LePage said he wants to ensure that a “thorough and thoughtful process will take place.” That process could take years, LePage said in the release.
“The east-west highway is an idea that’s been around for a dozen years and that’s what it is, an idea,” LePage said in the release. “We must explore the facts and go on a fact-finding mission, and that is what the state is doing.”
LePage said state transportation officials have yet to define the scope of the project or “moved forward to the point of implementation.”
“Right now, we need to decide where we want to put an east-west highway, is it feasible, and what would the costs be,” LePage said.
“We acknowledge and value the concerns of Sen. Thomas and his constituents,” Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt said in the release.
Bernhardt referred to “information deficiencies, especially regarding connections from the proposed road to public transportation infrastructure in both Maine and Canada” as reason to seek more time from the Legislature’s Transportation Committee for the study.
“I am happy for my constituents,” Thomas told the Bangor Daily News on Tuesday afternoon. “No one should have to live worried about losing their house. Now let’s hope we can clear the air and have a thoughtful, deliberate conversation to come to the right conclusions. I phoned the governor and thanked him.”
Thomas, who has served on the Transportation Committee for eight years, sponsored a successful bill in the last legislative session that called for the Maine Department of Transportation to conduct a feasibility study on whether an east-west toll highway can support itself while creating jobs that would slow the outmigration of young people from Maine. The study will cost the state an estimated $300,000.
A leading proponent of the east-west highway, Peter Vigue, chairman of Cianbro Corp. in Pittsfield, is traveling this week and was not immediately available for comment Tuesday. He said Monday that he supports both of Thomas’ initiatives and repeated a pledge he has made before: That the east-west highway project can be accomplished without any eminent domain takings and without encroaching on public lands protected by conservation measures.
“We were supportive when the Legislature put forward the idea to create an independent investment grade study on the proposed highway, and we continue to support the Legislature’s decisions on plans to move ahead with the study,” Vigue said in a release issued Monday. “If the Legislature or the Maine Department of Transportation feels that they do not have enough information about the highway proposal at this time to move ahead toward a useful independent investment grade study, then we support putting off the study until the necessary information has been gathered. … We continue to work diligently to determine the most beneficial and least disruptive route for the proposed highway and we are making good progress, though the proposed right of way and many other factors are incomplete at this time. It makes sense for the Legislature and the Department of Transportation to slow down the efforts to complete an independent investment grade study until all the information is available.”
Vigue said he is studying various routes for the 220-mile highway through Maine and that his chief criteria are cost-effectiveness, efficiency and a route that is as unobtrusive as possible to private property owners and public lands. Vigue proposes to develop the highway as a private venture.
Soooooooooooo…………….. what happens to the $300,000?????????
What a Bunch of Phonies!
They are just trying to Take the Heat off themselves before Elections!
To late, we are onto their scheme of privatizing every little thing that they can get their greedy little hands on!
Maybe we should close I95 while we are at stopping all business in Maine. Its proof that major highway projects are all republican scams.
tell me thoughtpoliceman, how is Maine going to benifit from this road? tell me what your head has been feed about this road that is good, give me 3 things how mainers will benifit. come on, tell me
Has Maine done better as a state because of I95? Come on YOU tell me?
I 95 is a public highway and the State has done better with that public highway.
Now you answer how does a highway that prohibits public access benifit Maine.
Prohibits public access? don’t be ridiculus.
….
I95 is a PUBLIC Highway!
Or didn’t you notice!
If you’d like to make sure this and other programs proceed with Maine people in mind instead of just wealthy businessmen, vote for Rep. Clark not Mr. Thomas.
Some things that seem fishy about this East-West Highway thing:
1) If Mr. Vigue has the private financial backing and the people who own the land are willing to sell, why doesn’t he go ahead? Why does he need Mr. LePage, Mr. Thomas and the $300,000.00 of our money they’ve decided to give him?
2) If this is going to be a private – for profit road, why are we spending any tax money on it at all?
3) Who are the investors and do they have Maine’s best interest in mind? Are they Mainers? Are they Americans? Who will own it in ten years?
4) If they don’t need eminent domain powers, why is the government involved at all?
5) Does it matter what Mr. LePage, with his casual relationship with the truth, says if it will be after he’s out of office when eminent domain may be used?
6) Shouldn’t we be concerned if we need to amend the state constitution to help a private company build a road?
7)Why does Mr. Thomas want to study it if he’s already decided it’s a dandy idea? What can we expect a study to find if the guys behind it have already made up their minds?
8) Who is getting our $300,000.00 to come up with the findings that Mr. Thomas wants?
9) We need to slow down the study because we might get information too fast? How does this make sense —outside of Mr. LePage’s and Mr. Thomas’ heads I mean?
10) If I own property in the road’s possible path, how do I sell it, at what price, to what fool, when we don’t know where the road may go?
11) How dumb do these politicians think we are?
Mr. Clark what a flip flopper he was totally behind this road was a co-sponsor of the legislation. Though now he is running for Doug Thomas’ seat he is doing what Democrats always do play both sides so they can get elected. This guy is a total hypocrite, it was alright for him to demand Maine Taxpayer’s to keep subsidizing the Town of Millinocket. Instead of doing what they should have been doing and that is keeping fiscal restraints and finding ways to create their own economic path. He is just another socialist liberal hack who will continue to look out for his own interest and play partisan politics to benefit his political career.
to answer #3, as to investers. Peters transportation bills says he doesn’t have to disclose the investor until after the highway is approved
I think you find this road will be alot different proposal than what is currently on the table. I think this road could end up being an expansion of I-395 that uses parts of Rt. 9, Rt. 2 and Rt. 201, or a widening of one of those 3 roads. Though Dlbrt we know it’s all LePage’s and Republicans fault that they want to look at this proposal for a new modern highway.
Instead of knowing the facts that this highway has been studied since the 1940’s. This road will eventually be built but the final study, route and product will not be what is currently on the table.
I guess you don’t understand it is not being built as a public highway. you can’t take your sunday drive on it…. It’s a Private canadian road for trucks
Says who Liberals, Enviros, Rino’s ??. That is why it’s being studied does anyone honestly believe it’s going to be a truck route and that this is the final route. That is why it’s being studied. This road will be just like the Maine Turnpike is because you will find alot of folks complaining if it isn’t. That is why some folks are complaining now because of the current route and the misinformation that is going on now. We should just wait to see what the study is first.
Misinformation? Did you read the last line of the article? Or are you one of those ” I read the headline so I know what’s in the article” kind of people?
“Vigue proposes to develop the highway as a private venture. ”
It might be like the Turnpike in that it will be a toll road…. but whatever tolls are collected won’t be going to the State if Vigue proposes this as a “private venture.”If this road is built as a “private venture” that last thing that should be spent on it are tax money.
If this road is built as a “private venture,” the private venture people should be paying for the study… not the tax payers.
No its folks like yourself who are not the ones who are paying attention. The Left, Environmentalists, Those on Welfare and RINO’s are the ones spreadling lies , misinformation and other inaccurate statements. Why is it the same crowd always fights any idea that creates good paying jobs here in Maine and wants to keep the status quo. Could it be in puts a dent in them having control that all of these folks might lose their taxpayer handouts and subsidies they are currently still getting. That if jobs comes in and that folks have to go to work and actually become prosperous that those in Augusta looking for this base to buy votes from may actually turn against them. This road is going in eventually but the final study is likely going to be different. As I have stated this road will end up being similar to what the Maine Turnpike is for Southern Maine an economic boost for that area. I also said in my comment that this final study will likely be having the location for the highway more farther south . Why because the State came out recently saying areas in Central Maine Waterville-Augusta-Fairfield-Skowhegan-Madison-Farmington and Rumford areas are all prime for major economic growth. Also most of these areas in Somerset/Kennebec Counties just recently their town selectmen and city councils all voted to have Summit Utilities build a natural gas pipeline to help economic development. Does any believe that this road won’t come near this gas pipeline to accelerate growth in these regions of Maine. As I stated we need to stop spreading misinformation , fear and scare tactics wait tilll what this study is. This road is going in because MDOT AND LePage have the constitutional powers under Maine Law to do so under economic benefit clauses in the Maine Constitution.
I’m fairly certain that lepage knows he’s a one-term governor.
It’s not just being a 1 term Governor that’s got him making these statement’s. Paulie has now got to be seriously worried that whatever other, more private, arrangement’s that were ‘privately reached’ between Cianbro, Irving and Maine’s DOT are now gonna come out. The mere fact that Cianbro’s own people have made public statement’s, and are now being studied, that their Corporate and Gov’t Relations people actually wrote the Highway Act, and then had it submitted as actual legislation by a Maine Legislator, has more than a few people wondering just what else has been smuggled by them in the Statehouse. The fact that this Act was literally pushed thru, in record time no less, is by itself a more than huge red flag of warning that this Act needs to be re-visited and actually taken apart to see what’s inside. Maine is not a Forrest Gump box of chocolate’s. The voter’s need, and deserve, to know what’s inside before any more money changes hands and Maine is changed forever by it.
And the blame for this cut’s both way’s so it doesn’t matter if your a GOP, TP’r or a Democrat. We should all get a dose of castor oil and sulfer on this one for letting this get so far outta hand. It also calls for the complete reorganization of the State Planning Office and OPEGA by requiring them to be involved as a ‘Sign-off’ Required Authority in order for them to insure that whatever legislation that’s introduced, or passed, is free of outside influence. Had this happened before this whole mess started, one can well imagine just how far this project might have gotten, benefited Maine and actually worked and served as a model of the future. Now, because of greed, stupidity and arrogance, this entire project is shot, just so someone could cry ‘My legacy is ruined ! ‘. Too bad, get over it and try again, but this time do it the right way and don’t even think about getting cute. Whoever tried it this way has now gotten a very public fannysmacking and is probably gonna lose the $ 300,000.– K in study money. That’s cheap compared to what’s ahead.
This gets tried again, and now with the media and the public both watching, and VERY UGLY things begin to happen, like public hearings into the source of new legisation, it’s source documenttion and who actually wrote the ‘new ‘ Act, the background of the Parties involved, the money trail that this Act both came from and is going to generate, the Sovereignty issue and who has the Authority over the Highway and who, and how, Mainer’s are gonna benefit from another road running thru the middle of the State. And with the public mood being what it is now, and the Court’s reading that ‘crankiness’, you can bet dollars to donut’s that at any stage of this next round of Highway that any type of political shennanigan’s are gonna be seen as noting less than another attempt to corrupt the process. That means a Grand Jury since even the AG can read the paper’s. It also means that this whole process is probably gonna start getting a quiet look-see from the Fed’s since it involves Federal issues, like gov’t corruption, vote buying and outside manipulation of the legislative process, as well as the Coburn and Calais border crossing point’s issue’s. No, whoever tried this this time got off easy with a $ 300 K warning shot. Next time it’s gonna be Grand Jury’s, the Press, the Court’s and off to a wonderful vacation at Downeast or to Otisville if they really manage to ‘upset’ the Fed’s. And we all wonder why Paulie is backing away ? This one isin’t even close !
Dickey Lincoln Dam project deuce
LOL I remember the political football, yup ya right.
Save that 2nd paragraph, you can use it on every comment Dlbrt makes.
Yes. There are too many Dlbrts out here. These forums could be good places to discuss issues, but instead, they are usually intellectual deserts.
I just realized why I enjoy writing reader comments so much. It’s because I enjoy running my mouth as much as Governor LePage does. This issue has become like a merry-go-round at a Disneyland.
Mr. Vigue needs to look at a map. You can’t build the highway as it stands without ruining the 7.8 million dollar Machias river public lands. You won’t even be able to cross it. Great for the Canadians, bad for Maine!
Who cares about conserving lands. It’s about moving Maine’s Economy and getting the rest of Maine into line with the rest of the country and world. We only have Southern Maine doing well while the rest of the 85% of Maine stuck in extreme poverty and folks collecting Welfare. I think it is time to tax these folks most of these environmental groups are filing for tax exempt status. They all have been making out like bandits through taxpayers subsidies the last 40 years thanks to those in the Democrat Legislature at that time.
The Liberals talk about everyone paying their fair share its time to get all of the back taxes these folks acutally owe and taxing them currently for all the lost revenue they owe for taking land off the tax rolls.
Ok How is this road going to benifit the people of Maine. please explain.
The radical lefties and enviros including folks on here have spread alot of lies , fear and misinformation on this road . We all know they don’t want jobs here in the State of Maine because they want to keep the Welfare State going with the Enviromentalists also continuing to run wild with no accountability. Folks on here said this road would only have 2 exits , which is incorrect it has 7. They claim its going to help Canadian Tourists. Now it’s a truck route for Canadians. They said it would have no fueling stations, rest areas/bathrooms amongst other things. They claim it will be the final route. Can we wait till the study is done because I think we all know its going to see major changes. I think its going to be a Central Maine route into New Hampshire similar to what Angus King, Vigue and several other folks talked about in the 1990’s and a few years ago. I think instead it will be an expansion of I-395 which is the route talked about a few years ago. But to keep talking about something that isn’t even finally studied and will see major changes in the end is foolish. This road will be built because Maine DOT and LePage have the final say. They can use their constitutional powers by law and put it through and their is nothing we can do about it. It’s the law they have the right to do so.
I asked how this would benifit Maine people and you cound not answer, because it won’t be for public use. and you know it. yealling about welfare has nothing to do about the road
I agree that people on welfare that can work should go to work. I don’t agree however that every place in Maine should look like downtown Portland. If you would like to live in a place with the hustle and bustle you are welcome to it. I am a republican not a liberal. I know much of Maine would have a much better quality of life without a major highway running through it. That’s why I care about land that has already been conserved. I’m not all about saving the trees, whales, etc., but I am also not about selling our soul for a couple Canadian bucks.
Right that is why folks are rushing to support Quimby’s park. That must be why voters located in towns in Northern Maine have given it a big thumbs down through voter referendum’s and town meetings to it. I think we have protected enough land and taking it off the tax rolls which increase all Mainer’s taxes in the long run. It’s time to upgrade Maine’s awful infrastructure. Mainers shouldn’t have to put through driving on absymal roads and bridges. We should also create more new modern highways that have the 100,000 lb. weight limit to get them off the local back roads which saves on wear and tear. I think Majority of Mainers have a different vision than what currently those who want to continue the same failed policies we have the past 40 years. Because they have seen the damage it has caused, the huge job losses and folks leaving in large amounts for better opportunities. Because folks have had enough of the Welfare and Nanny State we have had for decades it doesn’t work. It’s time Eco-Freaks to backseat and move Maine foward back to the state most of us grew up in.
I disagree with some of that. I live in a rural area that has access to I95 and 295…both are approximately 10-15 minutes from my house and I do not believe that either of these highways would impact the quality of life here in a negative way. The people that live here intend on keeping the rural character of the town and not turning it into another Portland.
The fact that both highways are so close is the reason I was drawn to this area…if ever I needed to find a different job, I knew I would have options.
I have family that live in another rural area of Maine and their only means of commuting is route one…I tried living there for a few years but the lack of highway access severely limits one’s opportunities.
I believe the major reason Maine is such a poor state is because of the fact that most rural areas are cut off from many good job markets because there is no highway access to reach them. Do not misunderstand me, I am all for the rural life and do not wish that Maine be turned into a sea of pavement, malls, and big box stores…but if we created more highways through these areas not for development but for the purpose of access to areas with jobs, the quality of life would improve. I am not a republican but I would think that a republican could see that this is why so many people on this state depend on social services. If anyone thinks that just changing the rules and throwing people off is going to fix the problem, they are ignorant. There are reasons for the problem, and if they are not fixed, this state will never be better.
A sound, reasoned and reality based position. This is the type thinking that needs to be in the DOT’s Planning Office, not some academic that doesn’t understand a State like Maine. Smrty, next time they put out the call for a Candidate for a State office, let me know. I’ll back you !
……
“It’s about moving Maine’s Economy and getting the rest of Maine into line with the rest of the country and world”
Every time they spout that garbage about getting in line with the rest of the World we go further back to the Third World Stone Age !
He would be exempt from Maine enviromental laws. It’s in his transportation bill
.
I think this is a Good Move.
The East-West Highway is only for Canadian Companies and maybe some Multi-National Companies. It’s not going to help the people of Maine.
I don’t know LePage’s motivations – but, on the surface, this is the right thing to do.
Get away from the pontifications of those standing to make lots of money and analyze this objectively and coldly – and it’s just good for a handful of Companies, most non-U.S.
.
This little special interest was getting a little hot for LeRage,
The know it all wonder speacks again. join a fair and leave town! side show bud.
This project will totally ruin the ‘Stud-mill’ road as we know it.
We already have a East-West corridor it’s called a Rail Road system. Utilize it.
Sorry but I flagged a whole exchange on this topic with the back and forth name
calling, personal attacks, and incivility that the BDN claims is against
the rules. We don’t need this. We need Mainers to speak their piece,
and make their point so the public is enlightened, not pushed down in
ignorance as has been going on for generations, apparently.
Doug Thomas has noone to fear. Democrats are the ones who should be ashamed of themselves. They are the ones who couldn’t field enough candidates for the legislature. They are the ones who already lost 11 races to Republicans including Bill Diamond’s seat thanks to their party not having enthusiasm for the upcoming election. If Democrats cared about Doug’s seat the party would be throwing huge dollars at his seat . They would be sending folks helping out with the campaign they are not. Because they know they have zero chance of winning .
Because of past history with Doug’s elections where he won by very large margins. Instead they are focusing on 5 Ultra-Conservative Republican Districts where they have zero chance in either. So it’s Maine Democrats who are unorganized again this year. Republicans actually think now they can pick up alot of seats this election. When they thought they only could have minimum amount of gains in both chambers.
This is not about saving the people from being subjected to taking by eminent domain. This is a very obvious ploy between LePage and his rubber stamp man to try to win a seat for a Republican this fall. If Thomas wins the seat, it will be back to business as usual. And LePage has the audacity to say that he doesn’t play politics. Whittemore comes in and Skowhegan gets their bond money. Thomas suggests a slow-down and, like magic, LePage backs off his rush for an E/W highway. These are very obvious attempts to soften the voters in these regions for the fall elections. The R’s know that their base is shrinking fast and some deviousness is necessary.
Don’t trust anyone on this one… They are not taking their time. they need to do this before anyone is aware of whats happening.
Slow it down??? if you have to go from point a to point b why would you slow it down. what pay people to hang around.
The study is going on in Canada.
Are they using the same criteria for this study as they used on the past 3 studies..
independent study my butt, hire by Peter…
Sort of like the insurance companies having to hire independent appraisers.. yet if it doesn’t go their way, thats the last job they get.
They want to speed up the process . Canada is involved. http://youtu.be/tzan7GYQSBI
Peter is fishing for allies, and knows about 10% of the people posting here swallowed his rotting bait
The feasibility study does slow it down.
Sounds like a way to cool things down before the election.
So LePage is going to let this just get pushed on the backburner…just as it has been for years? Once again, Mainers do not know what is good for them…
In my book, this guy’s a hero. Always ask” “Is this contitutional?”
That’s to bad. It should be kicked up a notch instead.
Oh for crying out loud! All you East/West Highway “Nay Sayers” , GIVE IT A REST! It seems to me your bigger concern here should be Roxanne Quimby with her “millions” grabbing acre after acre of our beautiful state for her own purposes. Now, you tell me…..what good is she doing for our state? At the very least, this E/W Corridor may help bring a little prosperity to our state in the areas where it is most needed.