November 25, 2013 โ Mayor Michael Brennan lauded a voter-approved transportation bond as a key element to growing Portland's working waterfront.
Brennan was joined by city officials and members of the Portland legislative delegation on Monday to discuss the impact the recently passed state transportation bond will have on the city's working waterfront. Included in the $100 million bond package is $9 million for improvements around the International Marine Terminal related to rail connectivity; $3 million for dreading in Portland Harbor; and $1 million for improvements at the Fish Exchange.
"These are three critical projects for our working waterfront," said Maine Sen. Justin Alfond, D-Portland.
Along with the improvements targeted through the bond, Brennan said he hopes that officials will leverage additional money for facility upgrades at the Ocean Gateway Terminal, which soon could host a new ferry service to Nova Scotia, and funding to study improvements to the intermodal transportation hub at Thompson's Point.
"When you look at all those difference pieces โฆ we see a future for Portland's waterfront that is very bright," Brennan said.
Around the International Marine Terminal, the bond money will go toward property acquisition, preparation and adding rail lines to connect with the PanAm system. Greg Mitchell, the city's economic development director, said those improvements will connect Portland and Maine to an international market place, and open the door to new business opportunities.