March 29, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

MDOT weighs advantages of rebuilding spur> Cement firm plans prompt state action

ROCKLAND — The state would have to rebuild the entire South End rail spur before it could carry cement trains from Thomaston to the former Stinson Canning wharf.

That was the observation of Russell Spinney, deputy commissioner of the Maine Department of Transportation. The state owns what remains of the former Maine Central Railroad spur. Spinney said DOT engineers began compiling preliminary cost estimates for such a project Thursday morning after learning of Dragon Products’ plans to use the wharf to ship cement to southern New England by barge.

Dragon Products Vice President Hector D’Lima said this week that although the company’s initial plans call for transporting the cement to the wharf by truck, using trains was “a definite possibility.” In order to become competitive in southern markets, Dragon must reduce its transportation costs. Shipping cement by barge would accomplish that goal, D’Lima said.

D’Lima plans to outline his firm’s proposal during a meeting with the City Council next Wednesday. The fact that the project would create a steady stream of truck traffic through the city’s South End, has officials looking at the rail alternative.

“We’re putting together an estimate at this moment,” Spinney said Thursday. “It would be quite a project because the only thing that is salvageable would be the right of way. … You would need new rail, ties and ballast (rail bed), drainage and all new crossings. Some crossings would need to be lighted.”

Spinney said it cost approximately $1 million a mile to build new rail lines but because the right of way was already established, rebuilding the South End would be less expensive. The right of way covers about 1.5 miles from the Maine Coast Railroad yard at New County Road to Atlantic Avenue. There are nine crossings along the way.

Despite the cost of such an undertaking, Spinney said, rebuilding the spur “would be very productive over the long term.” Although Spinney predicted that shipping by rail would be much less offensive than by truck, “I’m sure the same concerns that are being raised about trucks on Mechanic Street would be raised by renewed train activity. Trains haven’t run through there for years.”

He said that instead of a stream of trucks along the neighborhood’s streets, there would be a train running through the back yards. “It’s the same neighborhood but a different neighborhood,” Spinney said.

The advantage of shipping by rail would be that “rather than four trucks an hour, it would be maybe one train a day,” Spinney said. “If planned properly you could schedule it through the neighborhood at the most opportune time.”

Spinney said he expected to have the cost estimates ready in time for next week’s meeting. “I would not envision it would be anywhere near that ($1 million a mile),” he said.

Rockland-Thomaston Chamber of Commerce executive director Clayton Fowlie described the proposal as “exciting.” Not only would it ensure the future of the Dragon Products cement plant in Thomaston and its 85 jobs, Fowlie observed, it would pave the way for expanded rail service to the Rockland area.

“I think it’s great for the area. It looks at a mixed use for the harbor, it helps an existing industry and brings new jobs, and it’s a nonpolluting type of business,” Fowlie said. “I think it will help solidify rail service to Rockland. The more traffic we get on-line with Maine Coast Railroad, the easier it will be to expand passenger service. We’ve always felt you needed to get the freight service to draw the passenger service.”


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