I have been following the debate about extending rail service from Brunswick up through Augusta and points beyond. It seems like an either/or challenge of restoring the original rail services or creating a large paved way for local foot and bike traffic.

I wonder if we should consider doing a single, large, paved way that would be used by electric buses on one side and foot/bike traffic on the other. I wonder how the cost of restoring the rail line would compare to a paving project to open up the route for travel. The concept seems to lean into the clean energy evolution of Maine and would offer clean bus transit along the corridor that would hopefully be more scalable to the volume of traffic in various seasons.

It would also allow the trail to be used locally or long distance by dedicated hikers and bikers. Just another thought of a way forward for mass transit in the more urban areas of Maine.

John Seksay

Augusta