AUBURN — The threat of losing regional marketing money and funds for a state passenger rail study has led the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to challenge Auburn city councilors. City councilors are scheduled to discuss Monday night rescinding an October approval that put aside $50,000 to be part of a study designed to bring […]
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Posted inMaine
Think tank ‘oinks’ at government spending
AUGUSTA — A conservative think tank rolled out its latest report on state government largess, leveling criticism at both Republicans and Democrats in its “Maine Piglet Book” on Thursday. The Maine Heritage Policy Center’s report, released at a State House news conference, notes that spending in the office of Republican Gov. Paul LePage shot up […]
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Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn City Council OKs money for rail study
AUBURN — The City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to pay $50,000 toward a passenger rail study. Councilor Mary LaFontaine was absent. The study was approved by the Maine Legislature but requires Lewiston and Auburn to each pay $50,000 for it. An additional $400,000 is being funded by the state budget. Lewiston councilors voted 5-2 in […]
Posted inMaine
As local debate heats up, Androscoggin Chamber reasserts support for passenger rail plan
LEWISTON — Top local business leaders expressed their support again Tuesday for moving forward with a $500,000 passenger rail plan for Lewiston-Auburn. The proposed plan, which involves $400,000 in Maine Department of Transportation funding and a $50,000 local match from both Lewiston and Auburn, could be stalled if Auburn city councilors don’t approve the city’s share […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Group rallies for passenger rail to L-A and western Maine
AUBURN — If there’s one thing the politicians of Lewiston-Auburn agree on, it seems to be the notion that the Twin Cities should be the next place in Maine to enjoy passenger rail service. Bringing that service to downtown Lewiston-Auburn and expanding it west to Oxford County was the focus of a rally hosted by […]
Posted inMaine
Funding for Lewiston-Auburn passenger train study gets House OK
AUGUSTA — A bill that funds a $500,000 study and plan for bringing passenger rail service to Lewiston-Auburn passed the House of Representatives with little fanfare late last week. The bill, LD 323, sponsored by Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, has enjoyed strong bipartisan support at the State House as well as the backing of Lewiston’s […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine legislative oversight panel OKs rail authority audit
AUGUSTA — The Legislature’s Government Oversight Committee voted unanimously Friday morning to launch a performance audit of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority, which oversees the Amtrak Downeaster train service from Maine to Boston. The investigation was requested by Sen. Stan Gerzofsky, D-Brunswick, who said his chief concern is transparency within the agency around […]
Posted inMaine
Bill would put passenger rail on track for Lewiston and Auburn
AUGUSTA — Expanding passenger rail service from Portland to Lewiston-Auburn has been a decades-long struggle for local business and rail advocates, and a bill before the state Legislature could finally help advance that effort. State Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, is hoping his bill will provide the push needed to link the Twin Cities to Amtrak’s […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Correction: Length of reopened rail line 6,600 feet
AUBURN — An article about the new Rangeley Branch of the L-A Railroad that was published on Page B1 of the City edition Tuesday should have said the reopened branch is 6,600 feet long.
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Re-opened Auburn rail branch called a boon to business
AUBURN — Reopening a historic rail line gives industries more reason to settle in Maine, according to state and local transportation officials. “What it does is opens hundreds of acres for huge development, especially the kinds of businesses that could use rail to move their product nationally,” said David Bernhardt, commissioner for the Maine Department […]