Lawmakers Debate U.S.-Canada Road
There is an active lobby seeking to upgrade U.S. Route 2 across northern New England and extend the corridor northeast to Canada's Maritime provinces at Calais, Maine, and west to Watertown, N.Y.
But as a discussion of the issue Monday at the Eastern Regional Conference of the Council of State Governments showed, there is no consensus yet on whether that's the best route or how much to expand the existing road.
"I want to know, if we build it, will they use it?" asked Maine state Sen. Bill O'Gara, Senate chairman of the Maine Legislature's Transportation Committee.
"I think we need other ways to move our goods and people," she said. "If there ever was a time to increase our trade with Canada, this is it. Our borders are coming down."
With the North American Free Trade Agreement treaty with Canada and Mexico set to be fully implemented by 2009, backers of the east-west highway believe they can boost the rural region's economy by opening up easier transportation links.
They also believe it is a good time to siphon some federal transportation money to the region, also because of the NAFTA deal. The latest transportation funding formula includes $140 million a year to help states improve their highways and railroads to take advantage of greater trade.
The highway debate was one of dozens of issues being addressed during the five-day conference among 600 legislators, administrators and guests from nine Northeastern states.
The east-west highway issue is one that has vexed policymakers for decades.
"This is not a new concern," said Sandy Blitz, executive director of a Maine coalition pressing for the road. "They've been talking about an east-west highway since 1926."
About the only highway that spans the three northern New England states is Route 2. It once was a treacherous trip from Bangor in the East to the Canadian border at Highgate, Vt.
Over the years, there have been improvements and some widening. But there are other stretches that snake through villages and towns and follow a twisting route.
The question is whether that can be rebuilt to better speed commercial traffic across the northern tier, expanding into New York and east toward New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
It is an open question whether an improved highway would benefit the region's economy. Some critics doubt it.
"There certainly is not a consensus that to build an east-west highway is the way to do that," said Vermont Sen. Cheryl Rivers. "Historically, that's been rejected in the state of Vermont."
But the corridor that Route 2 follows could be the basis for an improved transportation network, supporters argued.
"We're not talking a new highway. We're talking about a highway you can travel over," said New Hampshire Sen. Frederick King.
Despite the disagreements, backers are working to develop a consensus to take advantage of the potential opportunities of NAFTA. Another meeting is planned next month in Lancaster, N.H.
"There's clearly not unanimity about the type of highway, the route of the highway or even the benefits," said Maine Rep. Michael Saxl, who serves in the Legislature with his mother. "`We have a moment in time to pursue funds for NAFTA connectivity."
