Regarding the May 6 article in The Times Record, “Topsham-Gardiner trail funding that rep says would lead to economic boon takes a backseat thanks to infrastructure shortfalls.” This article contemplates the investment and economic benefits of a trail, while referring to the railroad corridor it is set to replace as “an old railroad bed.” The former Central Maine Railroad and now state-owned Augusta Lower Roads railroad corridor is anything but an old railroad bed. 

Now renamed by recreational trail advocates at the Merrymeeting Trail, the Augusta Lower Roads at the time of its acquisition by the state of Maine was the best conditioned of all the 300 plus mile of railroad purchased by the state for passenger and freight transportation. This railroad corridor connects the city of Bath, home to one of Maine’s largest employer, to Augusta, home to the largest center of government employees in the state, and of course the state Capital. 

While we all agree that both rail and trails could be in this corridor, trains can move hundreds of people a day to places of importance, as opposed to a use for a small minority of bicyclists and walkers seeking exercise at the expense of a system that can reduce household commuting costs and directly impact climate change. 

This is a railroad corridor with the potential for linking towns, jobs, services, education and housing. It is an economic corridor that can do far more than provide recreation. Trains provide the most cost-effective, efficient and environmentally safe form of transportation in the world. We own a transportation infrastructure with this potential. It is time we recognize that fact. 

There are active, state-wide groups working with the MeDOT, the state legislature and with towns along the corridor from Bath/Brunswick to Augusta to Waterville and Bangor to restore train service on this route and other lines throughout Maine. We are advocating for a comprehensive transportation system that offers an alternative to dependency on the automobile, that serves people in an equitable manner, while seeking to reduce the impacts of transportation on the environment and meet economic goals that at least equalize if not reduce the costs of getting people and goods to places. 

For us to achieve our goals of the best use of Maine’s railroad corridors, information on the potential for both trains and trails, needs to be shared. Train service will not be disruptive to our quality of life, anymore, and likely less, than the thousands of cars and trucks that barrel through our community’s day and night. 

No, passenger trains are not 50 to 100 years away. Service is not any more expensive than the unsustainable costs of maintaining roads and owning cars. There is ridership, as proven by the Downeaster and train services throughout the world, and passenger trains may be the most important investment we can make to mitigate Climate Change caused by the transportation sector, the number one contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. 

We must not delay investment in these critical railway corridors and continue to say these vital transportation corridors are only good for recreational trails. The massive state investment in the acquisition, maintenance and planning for passenger trains calls for a halt to trails planning while we consider how the corridors can accommodate both train service and trails. 

There are places throughout Maine for recreating on bikes. Roads paved for rubber-tired transport. sidewalks designed for pedestrians walking to places, and parks with trails for hiking. The trail on the Augusta Lower roads has already damaged the rail line. Before any further conversion of this corridor from rail use, it must be considered and designed for trains. We must protect and invest in our rail corridors for their intended purpose. 

The Maine Rail Transit Coalition is made up of transportation, land-use planners, environmental and economic professionals from around the region. We are now, and always have been, available to meet with trail planers to help them understand the infrastructure, connectivity and potential for the highest and best use of railroad corridors. I suggest that all of us meet and try to come to an agreement. 

Believe me, it is Train Time.