ME LD1756

Establishes the Transportation Project Selection Council to develop and manage a statewide prioritization process for transportation projects funded by the Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority

Council membership includes the DOT commissioner plus 14 appointed members representing regional planning organizations, transit agencies, environmental groups, disability advocates, immigrant communities, low-income advocates, organized labor, and economic development interests

Projects must be evaluated using key goals including safety, system reliability, economic impact, environmental sustainability (greenhouse gas emissions, stormwater runoff), and equitable access to jobs and services for low-income households

Excludes routine maintenance projects such as bridge rehabilitation, pavement repair, guardrail replacement, and in-kind replacement of traffic control devices from the prioritization process

Council must hold at least 3 public meetings annually, publish an annual report with project scores and rankings by January 15th, and begin selecting projects for funding starting July 1, 2026