$85 Million Transportation Bond Measure on the Ballot in Maine

A week before a Nov. 3 Maine transportation referendum on a *general fund bond issue to address roads and bridges, TRIP released a report showing that over a third of the state's bridges "are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete."

2 minute read

November 1, 2015, 5:00 AM PST

By Irvin Dawid


[Updated 11/2/15] "On Nov. 3, Mainers will vote on three statewide referendum questions," writes state Representative Andrew J. McLean (D-Gorham), chairman of the Transportation Committee, in an opinion for Kennebec Journal on Central Maine.com to support Question 3.

From Maine.gov: November 3, 2015 - Referendum Election

Question 3:  Bond Issue

Do you favor an $85,000,000 bond issue for construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of highways and bridges and for facilities and equipment related to ports, harbors, marine transportation, freight and passenger railroads, aviation, transit and bicycle and pedestrian trails, to be used to match an estimated $121,500,000 in federal and other funds?

Eighty percent, or "$68 million of these funds will be used to construct and repair state highways, repair secondary roads in partnership with local communities and replace or rehabilitate bridges," writes McLean. "The remaining $17 million would be dedicated to a variety of other projects with the priority of identifying and targeting those that most improve public safety and support economic growth."

"The TRIP report, 'Preserving Maine’s Bridges:  The Condition and Funding Needs of Maine’s Bridge System' (pdf), finds that 15 percent of Maine’s state and locally maintained bridges are structurally deficient, which means there is significant deterioration of the bridge supports or other major components," states the Washington, DC based national transportation organization's press release. The acronym previously stood for The Road Information Project.

"Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor of issuing the $85 million in bonds for these transportation needs before sending the proposal to Maine voters for final approval, as required by the Maine Constitution," notes Rep. McLean.

There should be little question as to whether the funds are necessary. McLean compares Maine to New Hampshire, a state with comparable population (1.327 million) but half the number of roads and bridges.

However, after consider effort, New Hampshire increased its gas tax by 4.2-cents per gallon to 24 cents last year. Maine's 30-cent gas tax hasn't changed since 1993, according to an informative article from MPBNMaine's NPR News Source.

Voters backed a $100 million bond measure two years ago.

Regrettably, McLean doesn't mention that bond measures are not a sustainable strategy to address transportation funding. User fees, such as gas taxes or tolls, are not mentioned. Interestingly, he took the same approach last year in an opinion piece posted here.

Hat tip to AASHTO Journal.

*The post was updated to reflect the referendum's approval of a general fund bond issue, rather than a property tax.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015 in Kennebec Journal

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

6 hours ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

7 hours ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.