Governors Baldacci and Lynch Create Bi-State Bridge Funding Task Force

Press Release

Maine Governor John E. Baldacci and New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today signed concurrent Executive Orders creating a Bi-State Bridge Funding Task Force.

"The three bridges across the Piscataqua River are essential to Maine and New Hampshire," Governor Baldacci said. "It's in the interest of both of our states to work together to find the best way to finance the work that needs to be done to improve and maintain these critical transportation links. Both Governor Lynch and I are committed to identifying a cooperative and cost-effective solution to address all three bridges."

In the Executive Orders, both governors recognize the need to replace the Memorial Bridge, to replace or significantly rehabilitate the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and to maintain the Piscataqua River Bridge that carries Interstate 95. The estimated capital costs over the next several years could be as high as $300 million for the three jointly owned bridges.

Governor Baldacci also said that he has been briefed on the draft of the Maine-New Hampshire Connections Study, which will identify options for replacing or maintaining the Memorial Bridge and the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge. The study assumes the Piscataqua River Bridge will be maintained in good condition.

"It's clear to me that we must replace the Memorial Bridge," Governor Baldacci said. "I know that the study needs to be completed and public comments considered, but I recognize how important the Memorial Bridge is to Kittery and Portsmouth. The replacement of the bridge has to be part of any plan that I would support."

The duties of the Task Force are to identify mechanisms that would allow the states to jointly maximize funding for necessary work, identify joint financing options, and to propose necessary legislation that may be necessary in each state.

The Task Force must report to the governors no later than Dec. 15, 2010.

The Maine Members of the Task Force are the Maine Commissioner of Transportation, the Chair of the Maine Turnpike Authority and a representative of a statewide business organization, to be appointed by the Governor.

In August, Governor Baldacci sent a letter supporting a federal grant application by New Hampshire that seeks funding to replace the Memorial Bridge. The application was submitted under the TIGER II Discretionary Grant program, which will award funding on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant impact on the nation, a metropolitan area or a region. The U.S. Department of Transportation is authorized to award $600 million nationally for the program. Nearly 1,000 applications were submitted seeking more than $19 billion.

The text of the Executive Order that Governor Baldacci signed this afternoon follows.

04 FY 11/12

October 5, 2010

AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE BI-STATE

BRIDGE FUNDING TASK FORCE

WHEREAS, New Hampshire and Maine jointly own three bridges across the Piscataqua River connecting Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Kittery, Maine: the Piscataqua River Bridge hereinafter referred to as the High Level Bridge, which carries Interstate 95, the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, which carries the US 1 Bypass, and the Memorial Bridge, which carries US Route 1; and

WHEREAS, these bridges are essential to the movement of people and goods between and through the 2 states, serving as the primary travel route between population centers to our south and through to Canada to the north as well as key routes for people and goods between and within our states; and

WHEREAS, the Memorial Bridge, built in 1923, links the thriving business, social, religious and arts communities of Kittery and Portsmouth, is the only bicycle and pedestrian crossing of the Piscataqua River, supports community cohesion and quality of life, and has experienced structural deterioration that would necessitate closure within one to three years; and

WHEREAS, the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, built in 1940, provides a critical link across the river, including a rail line used to transport heavy freight to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which employs approximately 4,200 workers, heavy truck transit to and from the commercial service stations along the US 1 Bypass, serves as a critical back-up route in the event of a disruption of service on Interstate 95, and has experienced structural deterioration reducing its life expectancy to 5 to 7 years for vehicle traffic; and

WHEREAS, following many years of evaluation and discussion, New Hampshire and Maine agree that replacement of the Memorial Bridge, replacement or extensive rehabilitation of the Sarah Mildred Long Bridge, and on-going maintenance and repair of the High Level Bridge are necessary to maintain and improve existing connections, service levels and mobility; and

WHEREAS, the financial resources needed to address these bridges are extensive, currently estimated at $200 million to $300 million in capital costs over the next several years, which will require legislative approval; and

WHEREAS, New Hampshire and Maine seek a cooperative, comprehensive, sustainable, cost-effective, and long-term solution that addresses all three bridges;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOHN E. BALDACCI, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby establish the Bi-State Bridge Funding Task Force ("Task Force") to work with the State of New Hampshire Bi-State Bridge Funding Task Force established this same day by Executive Order of the Honorable John Lynch, Governor of New Hampshire, to coordinate the states' long-term financing plan for the capital and operating needs of the bi-state transportation corridor, as follows:

1. Task Force Name

The Task Force shall be known as the Bi-State Bridge Funding Task Force.

1. Membership

The Maine members of Task Force shall be the Maine Commissioner of Transportation, the Chair of the Maine Turnpike Authority and a representative of a statewide business organization, to be appointed by the Governor.

1. Duties

The duties of the Task Force are as follows:

* Identify mechanisms that would allow the two states to jointly identify and maximize funding for the replacement, rehabilitation, repair, maintenance, and operation of the three bridges;

* Identify methods to jointly structure financing for the replacement of Memorial Bridge, the replacement or rehabilitation of Sarah Mildred Long Bridge and the repair of the High Level Bridge;

* Propose such legislation that may be necessary in each state to facilitate the funding structure and other contractual authority for state agencies or authorities consistent with each state's laws; and

* Deliver a report to the Governors of the States of Maine and New Hampshire no later than December 15, 2010 with the proposals and recommended legislation required by this Order.

1. Staffing and Assistance

All Maine state agencies and departments shall make reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Task Force and shall furnish such information and assistance as the Task Force reasonably deems necessary to accomplish its purposes.

The Maine Department of Transportation shall be the lead Maine agency in furnishing assistance to the Task Force.

1. Effective Date

The effective date of this order is October 5, 2010

John E. Baldacci, Governor

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