After the $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending package was signed into law, many of the big-ticket items garnered splashy headlines. A few hundred million seems like pocket change compared to the fact the package spends more than $110 billion on roads and bridges and upwards of $66 billion on railroads. However, the $150 million invested in Maine’s land ports could significantly impact northern New England truckers.
“Efficient and modern land ports of entries are especially important to our state, where Mainers and our Atlantic Canada neighbors regularly cross the border to visit friends and family. Ensuring the border’s smooth operation also supports manufacturers and agricultural producers by facilitating commercial trade, promotes cross-border tourism, and prevents threats such as drug trafficking,” Maine U.S. Sen. Susan Collins reportedly stated. “This investment that was made through the bipartisan infrastructure law I co-authored will improve five land ports across the State of Maine and help create good-paying jobs.”
As the ranking member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, Collins joined nine other Senators to comprise a core group who worked diligently to pass the infrastructure measure. The spending measure provides $550 billion above previous annual infrastructure investment levels. It also delivers valuable resources to 26 land ports across the country. Six of those located in Maine will gain access to a total of $150 million. Infrastructure money will reportedly support upgrades at the following Maine land ports.
- Coburn Gore will use the funding to construct a new main building and commercial inspection facility that will fully satisfy the requirements for public area, document processing, enforcement, support areas, staff services, building support, restrooms/showers, and non-commercial secondary inspection. The project includes onsite housing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers.
- Calais-Ferry Point will use the funding to expand the existing historic facility with new state-of-the-art capability and capacity. The project will construct a secondary inspection canopy, an enclosed secondary inspection, three inbound lanes, an outbound lane and outbound bypass lane.
- Fort Fairfield will use the funding to improve line-of-sight of inbound traffic and streamline outbound traffic flow through the crossing.
- Limestone will use the funding to construct a state-of-the-art and expand capacity facility. The Main Port Building would allow for proper vehicular queuing and circulation, along with an expanded area for the incorporation of CBP’s new processing technology and security features.
- Houlton will use the funding to repair the existing building systems and site infrastructure to eliminate critical deficiencies and bring them into compliance with the GSA P-100 Standards. Building items in need of repair include building envelopes, elevators, mechanical systems, plumbing systems, and the fire alarm. Site items in need of replacement include water service lines, the septic system, and the underground fuel tanks.
“Maine’s border with Canada is an essential component of our northern communities, economy, and culture. The land ports along this border connect loved ones, allow for the efficient transportation of Maine-made products, and are major facilitators of mutually beneficial tourism,” Maine’s U.S. Sen. Angus King reportedly said. “By upgrading these important land ports, we can make the crossing easier for both commerce and pleasure while also improving border security. I’m glad the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is making significant investments in these critical crossing points and look forward to seeing the impacts of the bill’s continued support for Maine and America.”
The average land port hovers around 40 years old, and many are sorely overdue for an upgrade.
Sources: wabi.tv, mainebiz.biz
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