Governor’s report on bridges released
MBTA calls for prompt action to protect public safety, economy

MaineDOT officially delivered its report on the state of Maine’s bridges to Governor John Baldacci last week. The report, titled “Keeping Our Bridges Safe,” was prepared in response to the governor’s executive order issued on August 2 this year following the collapse of the I-35W bridge in Minneapolis. Thirteen people died, and that tragedy has sparked growing public awareness of the looming bridge crisis.
The report confirms much of what MBTA members have known for a while: that Maine’s bridge stock is aging and badly in need of capital investment to protect the public safety and rebuild Maine’s bridges over the next 10 years.
In all, the report made eight recommendations, three that deal directly with increasing funding and fast-tracking MaineDOT’s bridge replacement schedule. Those recommendations are:

Increase bridge replacements to between 30 and 40 per year, from approximately 14 per year in MaineDOT’s plan;
Increase capital bridge funding by $50 to $60 million per year (from approximately $70 million per year today), to between $120 to $130 million per year; and
Accordingly, $1.6 to $1.8 billion (inflation-adjusted) in total bridge funding will be required over the next 10 years.

   As the report states, the need is enormous – already Maine has 1,250 bridges that are over 50 years old, and MaineDOT estimates that 294 bridges will require replacement over the next 10 years.
   The report also recommended not replacing certain Low Use Redundant Bridges (LURB's - bridges that are deemed unnecessary by virtue of the fact that another nearby bridge will serve the purpose).
   Most important to note, is the urgency of MaineDOT’s recommendations: If we do not follow the recommendations listed in the report, the state will have to close or post bridges at an increased rate.

MaineDOT also has released an updated "watch list," adding nearly 100 bridges, for a total of 386 deficient bridges in need of major repairs or replacement. To see bridges in your area that are on the list, click here .

MBTA’s position

The MBTA knows that securing the funding to fix Maine’s bridges will be a tall order, particularly when the state recently announced that its General Fund has a looming deficit. Still, our position is that transportation funding has been shortchanged during the past decade – and that is why we are faced with such a dire crisis.
We believe that fixing these bridges is critical – for the safety of Maine’s citizens and for the viability of our economy. The economic ramifications also were recognized in the report:

“With over 2,000 bridges in fair or poor condition, Maine’s economy cannot afford to have the highway network become unconnected, nor can we allow unsafe bridges to stay open.”

       The MBTA is concerned that there are limits to the current inspection process that relies too heavily on visual reviews. We are concerned that visual inspections too often cannot detect the degree of structural deterioration that is not easily seen on the surface of a bridge, and that the limits of these inspection methods will only become more critical as our bridge stock continues to age. We need to do everything we can to avoid a tragedy like the one in Minneapolis.
         MBTA believes that failing to secure funding for our highways and bridges is unacceptable and will have disastrous ramifications for the public safety and economic future of our state. The most sobering message in the Governor’s bridge report was that until we are able to find funding for “a balanced, sustainable bridge work plan” we are certain to see more closings and postings as MaineDOT has to consider the public safety first.
         The MBTA says we need to keep our economy healthy and our citizens safe! With hundreds of bridges at risk in communities throughout the state, shutting them down would hobble our transportation network and our economy.
     Finally, we would like to commend Governor Baldacci for his swift call to action in August, and for his continued commitment to addressing the issue and securing a funding plan to keep our bridges safe. We will be calling on all of our members to help us as we work with the governor, MaineDOT and our legislators to implement the report’s funding recommendations. Please watch your e-mail and our web site, www.mbtaonline.org/advocacy for more information. Click here to download and view the "Keeping Our Bridges Safe" report.

Super Raffle tickets still available

Win a $7,000 trip and support the MBTA Educational Foundation!

If you haven’t bought your tickets yet, call the MBTA office, 622-0526 or e-mail deanna@mbtaonline.org. Tickets are $50 each and must be purchased by December 12th.
The winners will be announced at the MBTA Holiday Meeting in Bangor on December 13. Only 500 tickets will be sold and donations are tax-deductible!

Don’t forget MBTA’s December meetings!

• The Maine Challenge: Transportation Opportunities
57th Maine Transportation Conference
Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Augusta Civic Center

• MBTA Holiday Meeting
Thursday, December 13
Black Bear Inn, Orono, 5 p.m.

Download schedule and registration information at www.mbtaonline.org/events.htm