"Unlike virtually every other region of the United States, Maine and other Northeastern states have no comprehensive and integrated modern highway link running east to west," Senator Collins noted.
"The path to an East-West Highway in our State must begin with a comprehensive study. I have been working with Federal Highway Administrator Mary Peters to figure out how and when such a study could begin. The Federal Highway Administration's agreement to move forward with the study is a down-payment on future growth and opportunity for communities across Maine," the Senator continued.
The study is expected to assess transportation modalities in the region and the relationship between transportation connections and potential economic growth. The study is scheduled to begin once the transportation appropriations bill for fiscal year 2003 becomes law. The northeast is by far the largest geographic region east of Chicago without an east-west interstate highway. Moreover, the relative lack of economic growth in many parts of this region is believed to be, in part, the result of its inadequate transportation connections to adjoining regions.
"I am confident that this study will highlight the serious transportation deficiencies in the northeast border corridor as well as the critical economic boost an East-West Highway would bring to Maine and the rest of the region."
Senator Collins also reiterated her strong support for extending I-95 through Aroostook County, a project that is further advanced than the East-West Highway.