Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

Senator Collins recognizes the importance of restoring and improving our nation's crumbling roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. In 2013, Senator Collins coauthored the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill for the 2014 fiscal year. This bill provided strong funding for transportation projects nationwide and represented a thoughtful approach to infrastructure investment. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, Senator Collins has the unique ability to help establish our nation's transportation priorities, while working to help ensure that Maine's needs are addressed. Selected efforts and accomplishments include:

Truck Weights: Senator Collins scored a major legislative victory after convincing her colleagues in both the House and Senate to support a provision that she authored to allow the heaviest trucks to drive on federal highways in Maine. Previously, the heaviest trucks in Maine were diverted onto secondary roadways that ran through our crowded downtowns, past schools and homes, and over busy, narrow streets. This jeopardized the safety of both drivers and pedestrians. Virtually every safety group in Maine supported Senator Collins' efforts, including the Maine Association of Police, the Maine State Police, the State Troopers Association, the Maine Department of Public Safety, the Maine Chiefs of Police, and the Bangor Police Department. Further, the Senator's efforts were also supported by education and child advocacy groups such as the Maine Parent Teachers Association and the Maine School Superintendents Association.

Supporting Maine's Infrastructure: Senator Collins has a strong record of supporting federal investment in Maine's infrastructure. This investment not only creates jobs, but also provides lasting benefits to our communities. Senator Collins has worked to secure federal funding for important transportation projects in Maine such as the replacement of Memorial Bridge between Kittery and Portsmouth, increased capital investments for the Amtrak Downeaster, and the replacing of the breakwater in the Port of Eastport. In addition to the transportation benefits, these infrastructure investments will provide significant economic benefits to the region, both in the short term and for years to come.

Preserving Rural Airports: Senator Collins has continuously supported important U.S. Department of Transportation programs aimed at helping small, rural communities maintain access to air service. Throughout Maine, from Presque Isle to Bar Harbor, Rockland to Augusta, rural airports continue to provide service to the local community due to support from the Essential Air Service (EAS) program and the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP). Senator Collins will continue to advocate for these rural communities in Maine.

Reducing Flight Delays: Senator Collins believes aviation plays a critical role in driving economic growth and strongly supports funding for aviation operations. In 2013, Senator Collins introduced the Reducing Flight Delays Act, a bill that prevented furloughs of essential air traffic controllers, in turn reducing flight delays, during sequestration. This bill was signed into law on May 1, 2013.

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