The Downeaster passenger rail service was extended from Portland to Brunswick almost 10 years ago. We’ve witnessed the economic benefits that Downeaster service has brought to the Brunswick area in terms of downtown investment and the economic rebirth of the old naval air station as the vibrant Brunswick Landing business park. These benefits can be extended to Kennebec County, too.

It’s time to work toward extending passenger rail service up the Lower Road rail corridor from Brunswick to Augusta — to connect Maine’s capital and one of its largest employment centers with Portland, Maine’s largest city, and Boston, New England’s largest city. The first critical step is a long-term commitment to preserve the existing track and expand its use over time for passenger and freight use. And expanded rail services don’t have to end in Augusta. Further service from Augusta to Waterville will benefit the whole county.

You may have read that some trail interests are intent on tearing up the track between Brunswick and Augusta for their trail, but that means destroying the ability to use the corridor for its highest and best use: passenger and freight rail service that provides economic and environmental benefits for all that a trail alone cannot come close to matching.

The Lower Road corridor can be used both as a trail corridor and a rail corridor, as the Gardiner to Augusta segment has demonstrated. The Lower Road can be used for the benefit of all, but preserving the tracks is essential.

Edward Hanscom

Gardiner