Press Releases

This week Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) hosted U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in Maine for a two-day tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across the First District, highlighting how investments made possible by the Biden Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are strengthening supply chains, supporting rural and tribal communities, and making it easier for people to get to where they need to go. 

“It was an honor to have Secretary Buttigieg in Maine this week for his 50th state visit—clearly, he saved the best for last,” said Pingree. “Over these past two days, we have seen first-hand how the historic infrastructure investments made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law are paving the way for a brighter, more resilient future. From funding legacy pollution cleanup to repairing our aging roads, bridges, and ports, to expanding broadband access—bringing high speed internet to many parts of Maine for the first time—the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is making a once-in-a-generation investment in our future. Thanks to President Biden’s and Secretary Buttigieg’s leadership in implementing both the infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we are making tremendous progress in strengthening our communities.”

On Tuesday, Pingree and Buttigieg were joined by Senator Angus King and Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner Bruce Van Note at active highway bridge replacement sites in Falmouth and Freeport. Later, they visited Wolfe’s Neck Center in Freeport, where they held a roundtable discussion with Mainers to discuss opportunities and challenges in Maine’s rural communities, and how to ensure Maine is best-positioned to access the historic funding opportunities made possible by the Biden-Harris Administration.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has made unprecedented investments here in Maine, and the projects we visited are just a handful of ways we’re improving Maine people’s quality of life,” said Senator King. “From repairing our roads and bridges to broadband expansion to job creation, every corner of our state has been improved by this historic legislation. Before we passed the infrastructure bill, Maine drivers were paying more than $500 a year on car repairs due to poor roads and bridges, and this historic legislation is helping to reduce those costs and improve ‘the way life should be.’ It was a privilege to work alongside my colleagues to get this legislation over the finish line three years ago, and fantastic to see and hear firsthand the tremendous impacts it is having all across Maine.”

Governor Janet Mills joined Pingree and Buttigieg on Wednesday at the Portland International Marine Terminal, where they learned about supply chain and modernization projects at Maine’s most active port. The two-day visit closed with a press conference at the former B&M Bean factory in the East Deering neighborhood of Portland, which is being transformed into the Roux Institute’s new graduate campus. 

"After two days of seeing terrific infrastructure work underway across Maine through the Biden-Harris Administration’s infrastructure package, I’m particularly delighted to be here to celebrate our award of $25 million to build new active transportation connections to East Deering,” said Secretary Buttigieg.

“The Roux Institute is transforming Maine’s innovation economy, and its new campus will transform Portland’s East Deering neighborhood. This historic investment by the Biden-Harris Administration will provide Maine people and visitors with improved access to the new campus and all it will have to offer while easing traffic congestion in the community,” said Governor Mills. “I thank Secretary Buttigieg for visiting Maine and extend my gratitude to him, President Biden, Vice President Harris, and the Maine Congressional Delegation for securing passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is making this project and other investments across Maine possible.” 

To date, $2.3 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Maine with over 261 specific projects identified for funding. 

A comprehensive breakdown of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law investments in Maine is available here.

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