Great news from Augusta! At the work session on April 15, the Transportation Committee voted overwhelmingly that LD 29, the Merrymeeting Trail bill, “Ought to Pass.” This means it is heading to the full Legislature with a very positive bipartisan recommendation.
As part of the process, language from another bill — LD 956, which seeks to enact the RUAC recommendations on another trail-until-rail project in Calais — was added into LD 29. This means the fate of both projects are now connected. With more statewide support, this should improve the bill’s chances when it comes to the floor!
Thank you to everyone who spoke up on behalf of the Merrymeeting Trail. As a result of your advocacy, we have taken a huge step forward. There is still much work to do to bring this trail to life. Please stay tuned for more info as we have it!
Ahead of the Transportation Committee’s April 15th work session on LD 29, the Merrymeeting Trail bill, we’ve developed a fact sheet to help get the important data front and center for Legislators and the public. Complete with sources, this is a great resource for those looking to understand the facts at play in this important bill, including costs and benefits of this exciting opportunity.
Please download and share with your representatives, neighbors, and friends!
In the next dropdown menu, select “March 4 2025 1:00PM”
Select the “LD 29” button
Scroll down and enter your testimony
What to say:
Testimony can be simple and straightforward!
First, state your name, your town, and that you are writing in support of LD 29.
Next, say a little bit about why you support the bill and your hopes for the Merrymeeting Trail — how you or your family would use the trail, the benefits you believe it would bring to your community.
Finally, thank the committee members and urge them to vote “Ought to Pass” on LD 29.
Thank you for raising your voice in support of LD 29 and the Merrymeeting Trail. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us anytime at merrymeetingtrail@gmail.com.
Demonstrating the deep, longstanding support that people, businesses, and organizations in our communities have for the Merrymeeting Trail will be crucial in building support for LD 29, the Merrymeeting Trail bill.
Hello, Merrymeeting Trailblazers! It has been a thrilling few years for the trail, from our successful Rail Use Advisory Council recommendation to our vibrant community meetings this fall. And now the 132nd Legislature is in session, and we are onto the next chapter in our journey to making the Merrymeeting Trail a reality.
This bill is essential to the future of the Merrymeeting Trail. Helping it become law is our top priority this year, and we need all hands on deck to get it done.
Sometime soon, the committee will announce a public hearing on LD 29. At that time, we will put out a call for folks to submit written testimony in support of the bill. We will have a few people delivering testimony in-person in Augusta as well, but will recommend most testimony be submitted via the Legislature’s online portal. We will provide easy guidance on how to do this when the time comes.
In the meantime, we need our legislators — especially those serving on the Transportation Committee — to know that our communities support LD 29. Here’s what you can do today:call or email your legislator, let them know you support LD 29 (the Merrymeeting Trail bill), and ask them to do the same! Explain what the trail would mean to you, to your family, to local businesses, and to your community.
It will take all of us to get LD 29 through the Legislature. Please reach out with any questions, and thank you in advance for your help!
We are excited to let you know that there will be four Community Conversations about the Merrymeeting Trail happening in October in towns along the corridor. Please take a look at the schedule and make your plan to join us!
These Community Conversations are the next important step in the development of the Merrymeeting Trail. Professionally facilitated, they will be a place for community members to share their thoughts and hopes for the trail — things like what types of uses should be allowed, what surfaces should be considered, opportunities for access, and what aspects of design would help encourage people to get out and use the trail. Input during the meetings will be used to inform the community vision for the trail and its future design.
Trails are for everyone, and everyone is invited to this process! Please make a plan to join us when we’re in your town. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Thank you for supporting the Merrymeeting Trail. One step at a time! 🙌
-The Merrymeeting Trailblazers
P.S. I you can’t attend or missed any of these meetings, here’s a form to share your thoughts about the Merrymeeting Trail.
Help build the vision for the future Merrymeeting Trail!
In October, each of the four Merrymeeting Trail towns will be holding a community listening session about the trail. All are invited to attend these meetings to share thoughts about how the trail can be designed to best serve the community and be well used and loved by residents. The meetings will provide a space to share your interests, ideas, concerns, and recommendations about things like types of trail uses, parking, and connections. Attend a meeting to share your thoughts!
Bowdoinham: 10/9 6:30pm Wednesday – at Bowdoinham Community School
Richmond: 10/16 6:30pm Wednesday – at Enterprise Grange
Gardiner: 10/23 6:00pm Wednesday – at Gardiner Public Library
Topsham: 10/29 6:00pm Tuesday – at Topsham Public Library
Should you not be able to make any of these meetings you can still share your thoughts about the Merrymeeting Trail using this form.
On August 23 — following nine months of regular meetings, discussions, fact-finding, and analysis — the Rail Corridor Use Advisory Council convened by MaineDOT and charged with making a recommendation around future use of the Lower Road rail corridor voted to recommend the creation of a trail along the corridor!
The vote was 11-3 in support of an interim use of the rail corridor between Brunswick and Gardiner as the Merrymeeting Trail, connecting to the Kennebec River Rail Trail to Augusta. The three members who opposed the motion signed on to a minority report calling for constructing a trail alongside the corridor. Importantly, this means support for a trail was unanimous among Council members, with a large majority believing using the existing rail bed for the trail would be the most cost-effective and practical solution while still preserving the option to return train service in the future.
The 14 members of the Council were appointed to represent the views of communities along the corridor, as well as state agency, economic development, tourism, and rail and trail interests.
Here is the resolution endorsed by the majority of the Council:
Be it moved that:
The Lower Road Rail Use Advisory Council recommends the conversion of 33.5 miles of existing state-owned railroad track to an Interim Trail.
This trail may be surfaced with stone dust or paved and be primarily for non-motorized use. During DOT’s trail planning process, the RUAC further recommends that the Commissioner work with the Merrymeeting Trail Board of Supervisors and individual towns to identify potential trail segments where limited motorized use may be permitted, such as where there is space for dual trails.
It is further recommended that any trail developed should not interfere with the current lease with the City of Augusta Parking District.
In terms of next steps, the final report and recommendation will now be conveyed to the Commissioner of Transportation, who will consider advancing this project via a bill to the Transportation Committee of the Maine legislature. In statute, he has substantial flexibility as to whether and when he takes action based on this recommendation, but given the overwhelming community support demonstrated for the Merrymeeting Trail throughout this process (and for many years prior), we are optimistic that he will do so. (And we will of course be in touch to encourage him and offer support. 😊)
This project is by no means a done deal — there will be lots of work and outreach still to come — but this is a hugely important step forward for the Merrymeeting Trail, and it deserves celebration! Thank you to all the trail supporters, to the hundreds who have taken time to submit supportive comments and speak at public hearings. Because of your efforts, the vision for this incredible public resource is closer to reality today than it has ever been before.
MaineDOT’s public forum for the Lower Road Rail Corridor Use Advisor Council (RUAC) is taking place at 6pm on Thursday, June 22, via Zoom. Your voice in support of the Merrymeeting Trail is needed!
Public comments will be limited to two minutes. This is a critical opportunity to demonstrate the deep and longstanding support our community has for the Merrymeeting Trail. Please tune in and consider sharing:
How you and your family would utilize the Merrymeeting Trail
The benefits you believe the Merrymeeting Trail would bring to our community
Why it is important to you to see this public asset used as a trail that will benefit our region
