17-229-103 Me. Code R. § I-5
The Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan will be MaineDOT's primary planning document. It will be developed using a context sensitive approach and will incorporate a comprehensive, cooperative and continuous planning process that considers all modes of transportation, socio-economic and demographic trends, as well as other state objectives and initiatives. It will be based on the policy objectives set forth in Subchapter I, Section 4-B of this rule. The plan will identify the State's multimodal transportation needs and deficiencies and will consider the current and forecasted transportation system deficiencies and needs identified by MaineDOT's asset management systems, the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA), MPOs, RCs, local officials, and the public through a broad public participation process. It will then outline the goals and strategies for addressing the identified deficiencies and needs and will describe funding methods and allocations priorities to implement these strategies.
The Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan will have as a minimum a twenty year planning horizon, but may include ten year investment initiatives. A longer planning horizon may be used as appropriate. The plan will be periodically updated (at least every five years and no less frequently than is required by FHWA) as new needs and issues are identified using the same process that is described in this section of the rule.
As part of the statewide planning process MaineDOT, in cooperation with the MTA, MPOs and the RCs, will develop and maintain an inventory of the existing transportation systems. This inventory will be comprehensive and will include an analysis of trends and projections for system usage, system characteristics and system condition as well as environmental quality impacts.
The Plan will discuss the implications of different funding scenarios for the long term performance of all modes of transportation.
MaineDOT, in cooperation with the MTA, MPOs and the RCs, will develop a long range statewide multimodal transportation plan. This plan will incorporate multimodal policies and programs to address priority safety needs, system preservation needs, system rehabilitation needs, and system efficiency needs and initiatives to meet, manage and reduce current and forecasted travel demand. In developing this Plan, transportation investment options and strategies that promote the policy objectives of Subchapter I, Section 4-B will be considered. MaineDOT may seek the input from other state or federal agencies whose missions may affect or be affected by transportation initiatives. MaineDOT will provide the public an opportunity to comment as it develops its draft plan. The Plan will include a discussion of the following:
At the completion of the public participation process, MaineDOT will formulate and issue a final Statewide Long-Range Transportation Plan. In the plan, or in a separate report issued concurrently, MaineDOT will address substantive public comments and suggestions and will explain its rationale for adopting or rejecting suggested changes. Similar comments need not be addressed individually.
17-229 C.M.R. ch. 103, § I-5