Mainebiz

V O L . X X I I N O. X X V I I I D E C E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 1 6 8 B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S M A I N E B U S I N E S S N E W S F RO M A RO U N D T H E S TAT E Report: Maine infrastructure needs solutions and investment Maine's infrastructure grade remained unchanged from four years ago, the American Society of Civil Engineers reported. Maine had an overall grade of C-, same as 2012, the society's Maine chapter said in a Nov. 28 meeting in Portland. "With eight areas show- ing decline over the past four years, it's evident that our infrastructure isn't being made the priority it deser ves," said Lynn Farrington, president of the Maine Section of ASCE. "We can fi x this, but we need focused atten- tion, sustainable solutions and proactive investment across all categories with a view to Maine's future." M a i n e r e m a i n e d a notch above the nation's overall infrastructure grade of D+, given out in 2013. The grade for Maine's airports fell from B to C+ while passenger transporta- tion declined from C- to D+. Maine showed improvement in three categories: ports and waterways rose from C+ to B-, energy/electricity infrastructure improved from C+ to B- and pre- K-12 schools rose from C- to C. Infrastructure is graded based on eight criteria: capacity, condition, funding, future need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience and innovation. Findings from the ASCE report: Since 2012, there has been no federal funding or fee increases for Maine's airports Maine roads have the lowest funding per mile of the New England states. Due to deteriorating road conditions and increasing traffi c volume, Maine motorists spend an average of $485 per year of additional vehicle operat- ing costs as a result An additional $22 million per year over the next 20 years is needed to meet drinking water quality standards State parks and historic sites face a $30 million maintenance backlog Maine's passenger transportation resources are stretched and as the population ages and the need for transit increases, there will be further pressure on the state's 21 transit systems Upgrading the state's wastewater infrastructure would cost $1 billion, which impacts the state's ability to protect the public health Of Maine's 1,000 dams, 191 are considered signifi cant- or high-haz- ard potential, meaning failure would result in considerable damages or loss of life. The Maine Section ASCE makes the following recommendations: Set user fees and funding levels to match the needs for the infrastructure asset over its intended service life Provide the funding needed to trans- portation areas in order to meet legislatively mandated goals Assure appropriate use of limited funds by tracking asset performance through performance measures Keep pace with maintenance need to realize cost effi ciencies and help offset future capital investment Raise awareness of the conse- quences for economic growth cre- ated by underfunded infrastructure Invest in innovation and new tech- nology to leverage and modernize the state's existing infrastructure. — M A I N E B I Z S T A F F Frequent heating system repairs? Consider an upgrade to a new system. Find out more about incentives for natural gas, oil, and propane heating systems at efficiencymaine.com 866-376-2463 Invest in high-efficiency heating systems and controls with help from Efficiency Maine S O U R C E : American Society of Civil Engineers 2012 2016 Contaminated Site Remediation C− C− Dams and Levees D+ D+ Energy (Electricity) C+ B− Municipal Drinking Water C+ C+ Municipal Wastewater D+ D+ Pre K−12 Schools C− C Solid Waste C− C− State Parks C+ C+ Airports B C+ Bridges C− C− Ports and Waterways C+ B− Passenger Transportation C− D+ Railroads C C Roads D D Overall Grade C− C− Maine infrastructure grade summary

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