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Update from the Stakeholders Conference call

On Friday, the Connections Study held a conference call for the members of the Stakeholders Committee.  Seventeen people attended the call, including representatives from the Study, the state DOTs, and the Stakeholders/Steering Committees.  We had three objectives for the meeting:

1. Find out the positions of each of the state DOTs
2. Discuss the implications of unknown funding sources for Alternative 10 (see below), the Bike/Ped Alternative
3. Discuss how to find a workable solution that the two states could use as a basis for agreement.

The answer to the first question remains somewhat obscure, but only in the case of Maine.  NH DOT representative said clearly that NH favors the three alternatives that include a total of three bridges crossing the river.  Maine DOTs representative refused to indicate a preference, saying that must wait till the end of the study.  Study Communication Director Carol Morris reiterated her comment from a month ago that "we have always known that Maine favors the SML bridge and NH favors the Memorial Bridge.  So we are left with the impression that Maine will not tell the public, but will tell the study team, and that NHs priorities are clear, with flexibility around the SML bridge.  I am frustrated, and I am sure others are as well.

I raised the issue of funding implications for Alternative 10 because it is the only alternative that includes a non-vehicular bridge.  At the last public meeting I asked where the funding would come from, and got a non-answer (Something like:  I don't know, we will get to it, we don't have to consider it at this time).  This alternative is the only one that will include non-traditional funding (for the non-vehicular bridge).  The funding process and sources for a vehicular bridge are well known and understood.  The people who develop funding packages, grant requests, bonding issues, etc., know the process and the people who will ultimately approve the funds.  In the case of a non-vehicular bridge, the potential sources have only partially been discussed.  There are huge unknowns concerning capital and operating costs.  Will the costs be borne by federal, state, or local governments?  Will the costs come out of roadway and bridge budgets?  Will they come from "trail maintenance" budgets?  Will the states turn over maintenance and operations to the two municipalities (who will likely not accept the responsibility)?  For all the other alternatives, these are known facts.  For this alternative they are unknowns.  This alone constitutes a "fatal flaw" in the alternative.  If you cannot envision a path to completion, there is no path.  This is a dead end.  Take it off the table.

That still leaves us with the need to get the two states to agree on the outcome of the study.  Discussions about extending the life of the SML bridge by 10-20 years were at least discussed by the two states.  This approach of creating an option to build a replacement for the SML sometime in the future might form the basis for some interesting negotiations between the two states.  We are hopeful that fruitful discussions continue.

if all else fails, we have another option

We hope that the two states can come to a reasonable solution that preserves the three crossings.  But if the two states cannot agree, we have another suggestion:  Swap Ownership in the Two Bridges!

The Memorial Bridge is owned 50/50 by Maine and New Hampshire.  The Sarah Mildred Long Bridge is owned 50/50 by Maine and New Hampshire.  This mixed ownership means that each state can veto the plans of the other state, and that neither state can move ahead without the agreement of the other.  What if Maine agreed to swap its ownership interest in the Memorial Bridge for New Hampshire's ownership in the SML Bridge?  Assuming that the capital values of the two bridges are very close (within a few million), this would put Maine in charge of the future of the SML Bridge (which we are told they favor, but which they will not admit), and New Hampshire would be in charge of the future of the Memorial Bridge.

Perhaps this is too simple an idea.  Perhaps there are hurdles that would need to be leaped.  Perhaps it would take two states to pass joint resolutions.  But if it removed the contention over the fate of the two bridges, perhaps it is worth discussion.

We are down to 5 alternatives

Today, the members of the Connections Study Stakeholders and Steering Committees received a note from the Study team that they are now down to five alternatives still under consideration.  These five alternatives are:

• Alternative 4 - Replace the Memorial Bridge and Rehab the Sarah Mildred Long (SML) Bridge
• Alternative 6a - Replace the Memorial Bridge and Replace the SML bridge with a low level bridge slightly upstream from the current bridge.
• Alternative 9 - Replace the Memorial Bridge and Replace the SML bridge with a hybrid bridge slightly upstream from the current bridge
• Alternative 10 - Replace the Memorial Bridge with a Bike/Pedestrian Bridge and Replace the SML Bridge with a hybrid bridge slightly upstream from the current bridge.
• Alternative 11 - Remove the Memorial Bridge completely and Replace the SML Bridge with a hybrid bridge slightly upstream from the current bridge.

States not in agreement on alternatives

We have been told all along that Maine and New Hampshire would both abide by the results of the study.  Our assumption had always been that the study would arrive at a single solution, but now we are told that the states do not agree on the alternatives.  Without identifying which state favors which alternative, we are told that they disagree.  Without agreement, the study fails to deliver its promise.

Which state wants which alternative?  New Hampshire has always been clear on its desire to replace the Memorial Bridge with a vehicular bridge.  Maine has said they are "intrigued" with the Bike/Pedestrian option for the Memorial Bridge.  It is easy to conclude that Maine wants either of the two alternatives that do not include a vehicular bridge to replace the Memorial Bridge.  But that position has not been made clear.  This only increases the suspicions we have about Maine's motives.  But if our assumptions are correct, there seems little ground for agreement.  One favors replacing the Memorial Bridge, one favors eliminating it.

there is another option

Alternative 4 provides the best hope of the available alternatives, but it needs to be viewed over a longer time period than just the next 5-7 years (remaining life of the SML bridge).  If Maine wants the hybrid bridge, does it need to have it right away?  Can we rehab the SML bridge and give it another 25 years life?  Can we then look again to see if there is a continuing need for the hybrid option?  

Gerry Audibert announced at the last Connections Study meeting that it might take 10-25 years to implement the approved bypass of Wiscasset.  If MDOT is thinking in those types of time frames, perhaps an alternative that addresses critical connectivity between the municipalities can be done today, and with some strategic repairs, push the decision on replacement off for another 25 years.  This would have an additional benefit of moving the three bridges here in the seasoast into three different cycles with different end of life dates, enabling Maine to redirect near term funding to other areas of the state.

Hopefully we can move this process forward.

Kittery Business Owners Support the memorial bridge

Last night Warren's Lobster House and the Cunningham's hosted the York County Chamber of Commerce meeting of the Kittery Business Owners.  The subjects discussed were critical to the survival of businesses in Kittery, and the southern York County area.  First, how to influence the decision making process in Augusta, and second how to survive during the inevitable bridge closure.  

Warren's has sent 1500 post cards to their regular diners, and has a total of 2000 cards for their current patrons.  Stephen Kosacz from AutoWorks and Jim Spencer from Golden Harvest have printed another 4000 cards for distribution in Kittery and select Portsmouth businesses.  These cards will be collected by the York Chamber for a trip to Augusta.

The York County Chamber of Commerce is planning a trip to Augusta to send the message to Governor Baldacci and Commisioner Cole.

Drift gallery hosts "save our bridges" art exhibit

The Memorial Bridge does more than just provide an economic lifeline to our community, it also provides an artistic lifeline.  Artists and galleries are on both sides of the river.  There are more live performances in the Portsmouth-Kittery area on a per capita basis that almost anywhere.  The Memorial Bridge allows the arts community to be connected.  And the bridge is the subject of much of the art created in the area.

Whether it is Artist Bill Paarlberg's vision of the Memorial Bridge being destroyed by a giant monster(or is that the DOT in disguise?) or more traditional art, or the float that was a part of last Halloween's parade, the Memorial Bridge is a part of the artistic heritage of our community.

The exhibit will run for the last two weeks of July.  Put it on your calendar.

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