State takes steps to save Northern Maine rail tracks
Written by jrood
Maine transportation officials say they've taken new steps to resolve the potential abandonment of about 240 miles of railroad track in Aroostook and Penobscot Counties, after the track's owner indicated it plans to file a notice of abandonment in about the next two weeks, according to the Maine Public Broadcasting Network.
Hermon-based Montreal,
Maine and Atlantic Railway, which owns and operates the track, filed notice in August
with the federal Surface Transportation Board that it was considering
abandoning the track that runs from Millinocket to Madawaska and includes
several eastward branches.
The Maine Department of
Transportation says it’s hired an attorney who specializes in STB proceedings and
the attorney filed a request with the railroad for information related to the
potential abandonment. DOT officials say they’re also working with the
consulting firm "Railroad Industries" to try to find a business
solution that would allow the service to continue.
DOT officials say the
recent actions are in response to MMA’s filing Feb. 4, which indicates that the
railroad intends to file a Notice of Abandonment on or about Feb. 24. Railway
officials said in August that its business has declined by as much as 40
percent since the recession began. The DOT says 22 shippers and other
businesses in the region use the rail service to move freight.
