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An Act To Require the Maine Turnpike Authority To Consider Certain Third-party Studies and Municipal Recommendations in Its Decision-making Process
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §1961, sub-§5, as enacted by IB 1991, c. 1, §3, is amended to read:
 
5. Transportation policy.   Transportation planning decisions, capital investment decisions and project decisions of the Maine Turnpike Authorityauthority are governed by and must comply with the transportation policy set forth in section 73 and rules implementing that policy. Prior to funding a significant transportation project, the authority shall review any 3rd-party study relating to the project and consider recommendations of a municipality that is entirely or in part within the boundaries of the project area as expressed in a vote of the legislative body of that municipality.
 
For purposes of this subsection, "significant transportation project" means a project that increases carrying capacity of the turnpike by constructing:
 
A.  One or more through travel lanes that connect major distribution areas;
 
B.  A new highway, bridge or toll facility in a new location; or
 
C.  Projects funded by public investments that create new capacity.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires the Maine Turnpike Authority, prior to funding a significant transportation project, to review any 3rd-party study relating to the project and to consider recommendations of a municipality that is entirely or in part within the boundaries of the project area as expressed in a vote of the legislative body of that municipality.