Gov. John Baldacci signed legislation Tuesday afternoon to fund an engineering study on the reconstruction of the Mountain Division Line train route from Portland to Fryeburg. The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, and Sen. Bill Diamond, D-Cumberland.

Moore thanked Baldacci and Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Cole for their vigorous support of the project.

“This is an exciting moment for the people in every town along the Mountain Division Line,” he said. “I know my friends and neighbors in Standish are enthusiastic about the project.”

Moore said that the trains, which will transport both freight and passengers, will keep heavy trucks off the road and benefit the environment.

“It’s got exciting potential,” added Diamond. “It will help the local economy.”

LD 328 was unanimously supported by the transportation committee earlier this year and encountered no opposition in the Legislature. The engineering study will be conducted before the end of the year and be presented to the transportation committee next January.

June07billsigning: State Rep. Gary Moore, R-Standish, and State Sen. Bill Diamond,D-Cumberland, flank Governor John Baldacci during a ceremonial bill signing for LD 328 in Baldaccig.