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STB to hold public hearing on proposed Maine line abandonmentThe state of Maine’s request for a public hearing on the Montreal, Maine & Atlantic Railway Inc.’s (MMA) proposed line abandonment has been granted by the feds. In spring, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) plans to hold a hearing to publicly review the railroad’s proposal to abandon 233 miles of track in Aroostook and Penobscot counties.

To be held after the case’s April 26 written record deadline but before May’s end, the hearing will “allow citizens and stakeholders to provide testimony on the effect of the proposed abandonment,” STB officials said in a prepared statement.

Maine Gov. John Baldacci, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Reps. Michael Michaud (D-Maine) and James Oberstar (D-Minn.) — who chairs the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure — and other state and local officials had requested the hearing to stress the importance of keeping the northern Maine line open for 22 shippers that rely on the rail route for transportation services.

The board plans to announce more hearing details, including a date and time, in the near future.