Maine lacks funds to maintain infrastructure
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — John Melrose, senior consultant with Eaton Peabody Consulting Group, served as the presenter for the first of two meetings Aug. 6 at the Northeastland Hotel, hosted by Maine Better Transportation, which provide an opportunity for the public to share their concerns on transportation issues affecting Aroostook County.
Melrose, former commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation, used a PowerPoint presentation, highlighting what’s been done in recent years and what needs to be accomplished in the future to keep Maine’s infrastructure viable for business growth.
He said Wednesday’s meeting was one of several planned around the state designed to gather public input.
“I’m doing county profiles across the state, talking to organizations to pull together a coalition — start an effort to build awareness, then head to the Statehouse,” said Melrose.
Melrose said the MBTA launched the Fix It Now program in 2013, a three-to-five-year effort to determine the condition of the state’s infrastructure, including roads and bridges.
“What we’re most concerned about is safety. Conditions statewide are a concern, with accidents more apt on lower classified systems,” said Melrose. “For the most part, service is not an issue here (in Aroostook). It’s grading and condition.”
Using various graphs, Melrose explained how maintenance has not kept up with needs. He noted there’s a direct correlation between crash frequency and highway condition. He said part of the problem is a lack of funding.
“Maine’s (highway) fund is not tracking with inflation. Many funds are growing faster than inflation but our highway fund is not,” said Melrose. “There’s been an increase in the general fund but the highway fund has remained flat — over time, it shows disproportionality.”
Melrose said motorists driving more fuel-efficient vehicles also is a factor.
“We’re driving the same amount but we’re driving more fuel-efficient vehicles. What kept us alive was adjusting the fuel tax to address inflation,” said Melrose, noting as miles-per-gallon increase with more fuel-efficient cars, there’s a decline in gas taxes paid at the pump. “People are finding ways to go longer between fill-ups, resulting in less taxes for highway maintenance. We’re also seeing fewer young people buying vehicles and after age 45, people begin to drive less.”
Melrose indicated with the increased number of electric cars using the same roads as their fuel-using counterparts, it might be time to consider a way to recoup revenue for those using electricity rather than gas.
He discussed the need for bridge improvements throughout the state, how rail is improving in the state and the role air travel continues to play in regions like Aroostook County.
“Bridge funding has declined while the age of interstate bridges goes up. Nearly half (41 percent) of pavement preservation is unfunded, with highway reconstruction/rehabilitation miles short by up to two-thirds to meet goals on time,” said Melrose.
He said, on average, Maine maintains more highway miles than many other states, yet funding continues to decline.
“A lot can be fixed with paving, but some (roads) need reconstruction. But who should be paying for upkeep? We have to at some point to address the problem. Whether it’s hybrid/electric owners pay a fee or some other method. We’re at a point where the gas tax is a dinosaur and we have to move forward,” said Melrose.
A question-and-answer period followed, with Melrose responding to audience comments.
For more information, visit www.mbtaonline.org.
