AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt is declining to reverse course on a decision to let a Florida company operate the Casco Bay Bridge.
Bernhardt told the Legislature’s Transportation Committee on Thursday that MDOT intends to sign the contract next week with Miami-based FDI Services Inc., which will operate the bridge and perform routine maintenance.
The contract represents the first time the state has turned over the operations of a bridge to a private company.
Critics wanted Bernhardt to delay the contract to operate the drawbridge between Portland and South Portland.
Andrew McLean, House chairman of the committee, called it an “unprecedented move” that shouldn’t have been taken without legislative scrutiny. He cited implications for “public safety, transparency and fiscal responsibility.
The Times Record Sustaining Sponsor
We believe a community must be informed to thrive. bowdoin.edu
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less