Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1218513
W W W . M A I N E B I Z . B I Z 7 M A R C H 9 , 2 0 2 0 Federal funding will expand Amtrak service With $16.9 million in newly awarded federal funding, the Amtrak Downeaster passenger train service may launch an additional trip connecting Maine points — and passengers will see improve- ments at the stop in Wells. e funding from the Federal Railroad Administration, announced in a news release, will help the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority pay for a 6-mile sid- ing extension in Wells, upgrades in North Berwick and Brunswick, and a new platform and pedestrian bridge at the Wells Transportation Center. e public agency oper- ates the Downeaster in collabora- tion with Amtrak. e improve- ments will allow the service to meet projected increases in demand while reducing interference with freight rail traffic in southern Maine, according to the release. e Downeaster will also be able to add a sixth daily round trip between Brunswick and Wells. For now, the Downeaster runs five times a day to and from Boston. e train makes six Maine stops: Wells, Saco, Portland, Freeport and Brunswick, as well as a seasonal stop in Old Orchard Beach. e train has three Massachusetts stops and three in New Hampshire. N O T E W O R T H Y S O U T H E R N Southern Maine Health Care in Biddeford and York County Community Action Corp. in Sanford partnered to develop a pilot program offering a new bus route between Springvale and Saco. The route, called the Southern Maine Connector, began offering service Feb. 3. Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in South Portland announced it now offers employer-sponsored voluntary accident, critical illness and hos- pital indemnity insurance products designed to provide lump sum cash benefits to consumers recovering from an accident or illness to help pay for daily living expenses that are not covered by major medical. The health S O U T H E R N Sensible Solutions www.cesincusa.com www.cesincusa.com 207.989.4824 207.989.4824 Rooted in Maine, Reaching Beyond. CES, Inc. is proud to announce the acquisition of Haley and Ward, a trusted civil and environmenal engineering firm serving New England for over 120 years. CESI NC Engineers Environmental Scientists Surveyors Since 1989 Local Decisions Be Budget! 800.924.4229 www.bdtme.com Problems Solved. Budget Document Technology is an industry leader in providing digital solutions for document creation, production, and distribution. Helping Maine get business done! • Multi-functional Color & B&W Copiers • Printers & Scanners • Postage & Mailing Equipment • Software & Network Solutions • Managed Print Services