by jonnhrr
Driving through Machaias yesterday I noticed that the track has been taken up through town in preparation for the rail trail
Why is it that new rail construction projects take so long, but whenever anyone wants to tear up a track it happens immediately?
According to the Downeast Coastal Press, one of the local papers here, there are petitions to get the demolition stopped, based on the fact that the state has ignored ecological issues, violated property rights, and not taken simple steps such as protecting dust and pollutants from entering watyer systems. The state takes the point of view that this is not a construction project but a "rail rehabilitation project" (!).( I guess the state must destroy the RR in order to save it). The article goes on further to note that the track removal is being done b y executive order contrary to a statewide referendum that called for the track to be preserved for possible future RR use. The state claims it is converting it to a trail as an "interim" use until RR service returns. Whether in fact that is practical once the infrastructure has been removed is not addressed.
The group opposing the demolition is taking their case to the Maine congressional delegation hoping to get a moratorium on the track removal and an investigation into how the demolition is being done.
One can only hope they are successful. Whether or not it would be practical right now to reestablish rail service, one does not know what the future will bring in terms of higher fuel prices. Plus Washington County ME could definitely use a shot in the arm economically and rail service might facilitate that.
Jon
Why is it that new rail construction projects take so long, but whenever anyone wants to tear up a track it happens immediately?
According to the Downeast Coastal Press, one of the local papers here, there are petitions to get the demolition stopped, based on the fact that the state has ignored ecological issues, violated property rights, and not taken simple steps such as protecting dust and pollutants from entering watyer systems. The state takes the point of view that this is not a construction project but a "rail rehabilitation project" (!).( I guess the state must destroy the RR in order to save it). The article goes on further to note that the track removal is being done b y executive order contrary to a statewide referendum that called for the track to be preserved for possible future RR use. The state claims it is converting it to a trail as an "interim" use until RR service returns. Whether in fact that is practical once the infrastructure has been removed is not addressed.
The group opposing the demolition is taking their case to the Maine congressional delegation hoping to get a moratorium on the track removal and an investigation into how the demolition is being done.
One can only hope they are successful. Whether or not it would be practical right now to reestablish rail service, one does not know what the future will bring in terms of higher fuel prices. Plus Washington County ME could definitely use a shot in the arm economically and rail service might facilitate that.
Jon
Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the determination that some things are more important than fear.