Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §5071, as enacted by PL 1987, c. 141, Pt. A, §4, is amended by inserting at the end a new paragraph to read:

To carry out its directive to ensure the development and maintenance of safe, efficient and reliable rail transportation, the Department of Transportation may locate and construct railroad lines.__The department shall give notice of the location of each such railroad line by publishing a description of the location in a newspaper of general circulation in each county through which the line passes.__Before commencing construction, the department shall set a day and time for hearing so that all interested persons have an opportunity to appear.__If the department, after hearing, determines to proceed with the construction of the railroad line, the department shall file with the registry of deeds of each affected county a plan of the location of the line defining its course, distance and boundaries.__This plan must be kept on file and available to the public at the department's office in Augusta.__For the purpose of locating and constructing railroad lines, the department may acquire all necessary property interests through purchase, lease, condemnation pursuant to section 154.

SUMMARY

This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to locate and construct railroad lines. This bill does not affect the current law prohibiting the department from operating a railroad line.