1. The opportunity for new travel lanes on the Maine Turnpike to provide an alternative for new travel lanes on I-295;

2. The opportunity for different toll collection strategies on the Maine Turnpike to mitigate capacity constraints on I-295;

3. The opportunity for changed access between the Maine Turnpike and the free interstate system to affect capacity constraints on I-295;

4. The cost savings of construction and operation of new interchanges, considering different toll collection strategies; and

5. The impact of proposed or planned new interchanges on the interstate system as it relates to identified capacity constraints on noninterstate arteries; and be it further

Sec. 2. Authorization to report out legislation. Resolved: That the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters may report out to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature any legislation necessary to implement the recommendations of the report.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this resolve takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This resolve directs the Maine Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive review of studies concerning issues included in the potential widening of I-295 and to explore opportunities to avoid the need for widening. The department is required to submit its report to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over transportation matters and the committee is authorized to report out legislation based on the recommendations in the report to the First Regular Session of the 120th Legislature.