Private Financing for East-West Highway through Maine?

[KEVIN_224]

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/189491/314/Legislature-asked-for-300K-for-East-West-highway-study

This massive $2 billion project has been talked about before, but seems more likely now. It would connect from New Brunswick, through Calais, junction with I-95 north of Bangor and west towards Coburn Gore, at the Quebec border.

I say why not? People say this would only help Canada, but really, most of central and northern Maine is isolated from the rest of New England as it is.

[cpzilliacus]

Peter Samuel of TOLLROADSnews has written about this from time to time, most-recently in 2010.

Maine lobby group argues for expanded Turnpike and privately financed east-west highway

[mgk920]

The biggest 'wild card' in this, IMHO, would be the border-crossing situation.  The hassles that we are seeing nowadays may not be worth it for those who would be using such a road to simply transit Maine between southwestern Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes as opposed to adding the couple of hours needed to go around the top without crossing it those two times in fairly quick succession.  This is similar to the converse, using ON 401 or 402 and the QEW to drive between the upper-midwestern USA and upstate New York and the rest of the northeastern USA.

If/when the border checkpoints disappear, then that road would be a 'no-brainer' (eastern I-94 or I-96?).

There also used to be a VIA Rail passenger service that used a mainline that transited northern Maine on roughly the same routing.  Yes, there were hassles crossing the border for the transit.

Mike

[KEVIN_224]

Would I-98 be available? Sorry, I've never been further north than Bangor and know almost nothing about Maine after that point.

[cpzilliacus]

The biggest 'wild card' in this, IMHO, would be the border-crossing situation.  The hassles that we are seeing nowadays may not be worth it for those who would be using such a road to simply transit Maine between southwestern Quebec and the Canadian Maritimes as opposed to adding the couple of hours needed to go around the top without crossing it those two times in fairly quick succession.  This is similar to the converse, using ON 401 or 402 and the QEW to drive between the upper-midwestern USA and upstate New York and the rest of the northeastern USA.

If/when the border checkpoints disappear, then that road would be a 'no-brainer' (eastern I-94 or I-96?).

Strongly agreed regarding border crossings U.S./Canada.  Most of it is our (U.S.) fault, too.
Post Merge: February 17, 2012, 06:13:20 AM

Would I-98 be available? Sorry, I've never been further north than Bangor and know almost nothing about Maine after that point.

Not much there. 

In the early days of I-95 (prior to the mid-1970's), it was a "Super-2" highway from Bangor north to the border near Houlton.

It widened out to a four-lane divided freeway at the interchanges, but was otherwise un-divided two lanes, with plenty of signs reminding motorists that they were on a two-lane road.

[vdeane]

I'd prefer an east-west route along the US 2 corridor west of I-95.  Agree on the routing east of I-95 though routing along I-395 might be more logical if on US 2 to the west.

I'd go so far as to say ALL of the border situation is our fault.  I've read that if it weren't for the post 9/11 panic/authoritarianism we'd have no border controls today.

[texaskdog]

Never mind the fact that our government was in on it.  They used 9/11 to suspend my kid from school.

[agentsteel53]

Never mind the fact that our government was in on it.  They used 9/11 to suspend my kid from school.

did they suspend him from a hovering black helicopter?

[NE2]

The helicopters were all in use for bombing the Pentagon.

[KEVIN_224]

I know the short I-395 connects Bangor and Brewer. Would that short stretch need to be upgraded if this highway were to be built?

[NE2]

I know the short I-395 connects Bangor and Brewer. Would that short stretch need to be upgraded if this highway were to be built?

Yes, to 20 lanes with 85 mph.

[jwolfer]

I know the short I-395 connects Bangor and Brewer. Would that short stretch need to be upgraded if this highway were to be built?

Yes, to 20 lanes with 85 mph.

And number it I-366

[KEVIN_224]

Wikipedia also mentions a push to get I-395 extended eastwards from Brewer to ME Route 9, but the routing as to where is disputed. I assume it would be in this same East/West corridor?

[hbelkins]

Never mind the fact that our government was in on it.  They used 9/11 to suspend my kid from school.

That sounds like the kind of crazy thing that a certain nutjob "bathroom bandit" from the northern part of my state would say.

[Alps]

Never mind the fact that our government was in on it.  They used 9/11 to suspend my kid from school.

That sounds like the kind of crazy thing that a certain nutjob "bathroom bandit" from the northern part of my state would say.

Your characterization of my friend sounds like the kind of crazy thing that a certain nutjob Repubadub from the southern part of my friend's state would say.

[ghYHZ]

Travelling between the Maritimes and Montreal we always took ME9 & US2 to St. Johnsbury then I91 to A55 & A10. It was a nice drive......usually stopping in the White Mountains overnight. Crossing the border you said "just passing through"  and weren't even given a second glance......seldom were you even asked for ID. Now you feel like you've done something wrong......almost begging to be admitted. Not a pleasant experience!

Moncton to Montreal via Edmundston is 610 miles and about 10 1\2 hours. This travel time should get a bit shorter when A85 is complete in a couple of years.

Moncton to Montreal across Maine and through Sherbrooke would be about 550 miles and 9 1\2 hours. Now add in the border experience.......it just "ain't worth the hassle" .

[vdeane]

Probably wouldn't save any time either given it's only an hour difference.

[HighwayMaster]

I'm not sure if this new road should link to A-10. Plus, has the MTQ brought up any discussion of their portion?

[KEVIN_224]

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/192903/314/Maine-Senate-OKs-east-west-highway-study-bill

The Maine Senate has given their OK for a study now. I guess that's progress?

[texaskdog]

why not just give it to Canada?

[Brandon]

why not just give it to Canada?

Why not give Texas to Mexico? 

[Darkchylde]

Why not give Texas to Mexico? 

But that would solve so many problems!

[texaskdog]

Why not give Texas to Mexico? 

But that would solve so many problems!

It's not already?  Could have fooled me

[KEVIN_224]

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/195080/314/Maine-toll-highway-bill-passes-sent-to-governor

Another step in the process for said road, according to NBC of Portland, ME.

[yakra]

To sound like a nutjob from MY state:
If private developers have the capital to go building this road, THEY can pony up for their darn feasibility studies!

I-395 would not be involved in this corridor. The proposed highway crosses I-95 much farther north, north of Orono.

Would I-98 be available? Sorry, I've never been further north than Bangor and know almost nothing about Maine after that point.

I-98 is not in use anywhere, and state route 98 is down in Old Orchard Beach. It only seems most appropriate!