ME LD30

Directs the Maine Department of Transportation to remove inactive railroad track along the Berlin Subdivision from mile marker 1.7 (north of Back Cove swing bridge in Portland) to mile marker 26.5 in Auburn, approximately 25 miles

Requires replacement of the removed track with an interim bicycle and pedestrian trail surfaced with pavement, gravel, or stone dust on the existing rail bed

Implementation is contingent on available funding resources, permitting approvals, and municipal agreements

Follows the recommendation of the Portland to Auburn Rail Use Advisory Council, which met for 9 months in 2022-2023 and received support from all communities along the corridor

Trail conversion is considered interim under the State Railroad Preservation and Assistance Act, preserving the corridor for potential future rail use