State Senator Margaret Craven Seeking Bonds For Lewsiton Passenger Rail and Redevelopment

State Senator Margaret Craven of Lewiston, introduced two bills this week, that would bring as much as $38 million in state bonding to Lewiston and Auburn. One bill asks for $18 million in state backed bonds to upgrade the rail lines between Yarmouth and Auburn in the hope of bringing passenger train service to the Twin Cities.The second bill asks for $20 million to redevelop Lewiston's Rivefront Island area. The city currently has a plan for redevelopment that includes the area between Lincoln Street and the Androscoggin River from the Longley Bridge to Lown Peace bridge that connects Little Canada to New Auburn.

To see the current plans that the city has for the area visit riverfrontislandmasterplan.com

If the bond money is approved, it would be used to demolish unsafe buildings, clear river frontage and upgrade the local public parks and improve safety.

The bond money for the rail upgrades could be the first step to rebuilding a rail link between Maine and Montreal via Auburn and Bethel.

Both bills must be approved by the full legislature and by Maine voters.