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LD 29

Resolve, To Require The Department Of Transportation To Implement The Recommendations Of The Lower Road Rail Use Advisory Council

132nd Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sally Cluchey and 1 co-sponsor

DOT must convert two inactive rail segments to trails, only if funding, permits, and municipal agreements are secured.

Signed by Governor
#railroads #topshamtogardiner #trails
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Bill Summary · LD 29

Summary — LD 29 (Resolve)

Title: Resolve, To Require the Department of Transportation To Implement the Recommendations of the Lower Road Rail Use Advisory Council
Status: Signed by Governor (June 20, 2025)
Introduced: January 8, 2025

Purpose

LD 29 directs the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) to implement recommendations from rail-use advisory work groups to convert specified segments of inactive railroad track to trail use, subject to funding, permitting and municipal agreements. The enacted version (as amended) also references recommendations of the Calais Branch Rail Use Advisory Council.

Key provisions

  • Requires DOT, subject to available funding, permitting and municipal agreements, to remove inactive railroad track material and convert the right-of-way into trail facilities on two segments:
    • Calais Branch (Ayers Junction in Pembroke to Route 1 in Calais): removal of 12.26 miles of inactive track and replacement with a multi-use trail.
    • Lower Road (between the Town of Brunswick and the City of Hallowell): removal of inactive track and replacement with an interim bicycle and pedestrian trail.
  • Implementation is conditional: DOT must secure funding, necessary permits, and municipal agreements before undertaking work.
  • The enactment reflects committee amendment(s) expanding/clarifying scope (including the Calais Branch recommendations).

Fiscal impact

  • Fiscal notes (revised 04/29/25 and 05/27/25) indicate potential current biennium:
    • Cost increases to the Highway Fund and the Federal Expenditures Fund.
    • Potential revenue increases to the Highway Fund and the Federal Expenditures Fund.
  • No specific appropriation or cost estimate is provided in the fiscal notes; the department reports that no funding currently exists for these purposes. Actual costs will depend on project scopes, procurement and available federal/state funds.

Who is affected

  • Maine Department of Transportation (implementation, permitting, contracting).
  • Municipalities along the affected corridors (Pembroke, Calais, Brunswick, Hallowell and others on the Calais Branch) — required municipal agreements.
  • Current rail owners/operators and users (to the extent tracks are inactive).
  • Local residents, bicyclists, pedestrians, trail and recreation interests, and potential tourism/economic development stakeholders.

Legislative/procedural history

  • Referred to the Transportation Committee; committee amendment A (S-44) adopted.
  • Final passage actions: House concurrence votes (e.g., Roll Call No. 184 — Yeas 116, Nays 26); House amendment H‑126 to the committee amendment failed.
  • Placed on and taken from the Special Highway Table; finally passed May 28, 2025.
  • Signed by the Governor June 20, 2025.

Notes/limitations

  • The resolve does not appropriate funds and contains the explicit condition that work proceed only if funding, permits and municipal agreements are in place. Detailed project planning, environmental review, procurement and cost estimates would follow any appropriation or funding authorization.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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