BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 1, 2021
Amtrak could permanently extend Maine’s Downeaster line up the coast to Rockland among 30 new routes possible under President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan, officials said. On Wednesday, Amtrak detailed its pitch for how it would expand and improve service all across the country. Among the new routes is one that would extend Maine’s rail system, which includes stations in Wells, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, Portland, Freeport and Brunswick, up the coast to Rockland. Amtrak did not include proposed service extensions to Westbrook and Lewiston-Auburn. Additionally, a plan to further extend service from Brunswick through Augusta and Waterville before terminating in Bangor was also not included.