- Maine Turnpike's Gorham Connector Plan Loses Key Local Support
- Fitch: Hurricane Helene Spares US Toll Roads, Ports, Airports
- Full Extent Of Hurricane Helene's Devastation Remains Uncertain A Week After Landfall
- These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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Maine Turnpike's Gorham Connector Plan Loses Key Local Support
Responding to months of vocal opposition from area residents, the town council of Scarborough, Maine, voted Wednesday to withdraw its support from the Gorham Connector project proposed by the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA), WGME reports. The proposed five-mile, four-lane tolled highway is intended to relieve congestion in Scarborough, and the town is one of four municipalities that originally supported the MTA project. “While the MTA says this vote won’t stop the project, the agency is taking a step back, re-evaluating the route and working with [Maine DOT] to evaluate non-highway solutions. But the agency warns residents that other options might mean turning country roads into multi-lane thruways.” For its part, the town council formally pledged to work with MTA on alternative solutions for traffic congestion in the area, which it acknowledged is a problem. (TRN inserted a link in quoted text.)
Maine Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maine Turnpike AuthorityFitch: Hurricane Helene Spares US Toll Roads, Ports, Airports
In a commentary published today, Fitch Ratings reports that its rated toll roads, ports, and airports “have not sustained any significant damage from Hurricane Helene, and credit ratings are unaffected. . . . Transportation credits have quickly resumed operations, with little disruption to revenues.” Fitch specifically notes, “None of the toll roads we rate in the southeast suffered material damage, as most were not in the path of the storm. Tampa’s Sunshine Skyway temporarily closed. Closures and toll suspensions due to hurricanes are typical in Florida, potentially occurring a few days a year, but this has had a negligible effect on toll road revenues historically.”
Fitch adds this comment on the resilience of transportation facilities: “Transportation assets are built to largely withstand weather-related risks, and transportation assets in hurricane-prone Florida have historically demonstrated quick recoveries following storms. Transportation facilities also maintain strong cash reserves to cover short-term cost increases while waiting for insurance reimbursement and Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance.”
Climate Change & Infrastructure Resilience Company and Agency Financial Issues And Reports Economic & Social Considerations Affecting Transportation Fitch Ratings Investment RatingsFull Extent Of Hurricane Helene's Devastation Remains Uncertain A Week After Landfall
CNN published a roundup of news about Hurricane Helene deaths, damage, and recovery early this afternoon. Among other things, it reports:
- Helene is now deemed the deadliest US hurricane since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At least 213 were killed, but many people, especially in rural North Carolina, are still unaccounted for a week after the storm’s arrival in Florida.
- “A massive relief effort is underway . . . to restore shredded power grids and rebuild damaged water and cell infrastructure.”
- “Transportation infrastructure . . . also has suffered ‘unprecedented damage’ after Helene ripped up and washed out roads and blasted through bridges,” according to USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “Hundreds of roads remain closed, hampering efforts to send aid to hard-hit communities. And for those who left before Helene, the closures have delayed their return to check on family, friends and the state of their homes. Some areas are so inaccessible supplies are being delivered by mule and air.”
- “FEMA has enough money to provide immediate disaster aid in the wake of Helene, an agency spokesperson said. But with a long road to recovery ahead — and more hurricanes possible this season — the agency may find itself digging to the bottom of its wallet.”
These are just some of the toll industry developments TRN is following.
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