
PORTLAND (AP) — The Federal Transit Administration is giving a ferry line in Maine $6 million to replace an aging boat.
The administration is providing the money to Casco Bay Lines in Portland. The boat that will be replaced is aging to the point where it’s no longer useful.
Elected officials in the state say the money will help keep a key piece of the state transportation grid intact. Republican Sen. Susan Collins says the ferry is especially important to working people who live on bridgeless islands.
Democratic Rep. Chellie Pingree says Casco Bay Lines runs two ferries that are expected to reach the end of their usefulness within the next five years. The service will soon make a decision about which one to replace with the $6 million.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less