LEWISTON – A $29.7 million bonding plan for transportation, environmental and wildlife projects could get a boost at the polls from primary election voters.

“It is a presidential year, and there is heightened interest in voting,” said Don Cookson, communications director for the Secretary of State’s office. “And there is no shortage of contested House and State House races on both sides. So that bodes well for the bond question.”

Tuesday’s vote on state borrowing is part of a triad of bond plans totaling $295 million that began last year. Voters approved the two other parts of the plan at the polls last June and in November.

“Fiscal things and transportation matters do tend to bring people out anyway, especially in Maine,” Cookson said. “This has a little bit of every thing.”

The plan calls for highway and bridge improvements around the state, other road and rail improvements and money for bus, bicycle, ferry and air infrastructure. All told, it calls for $23 million in transportation spending.

Don Craig, director of the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center, said the state package includes $500,000 to rehabilitate the rail line at Danville Junction in Auburn. That’s a key link in plans to connect Maine’s rail lines to Canada – and possibly bring passenger rail to Auburn.

Local groups could also qualify for transit, bicycle path and paving projects at Maine airports.

Tuesday’s bond also includes $4.4 million for environmental protection grants to clean up hazardous waste, address problems at closed landfills, prevent problems at industrial landfills and pay for air quality monitoring. There is also $2.3 million for rehabilitating state fish hatcheries and dam repairs along several small streams and ponds.

This is the final piece of a 2007 scheme to improve the state’s infrastructure. Legislators in 2007 decided to break a request for $295 million in bonding in three pieces, each designed to leverage millions in federal matching grants. The June 2007 bond issue made the state eligible for more than $260 million in matching funds. The second vote, in November, leveraged $49.5 million in other funds.

Tuesday’s bond should help the state qualify for $29.8 million in federal revenue.

“It’s predominately a way to bring in more federal dollars,” Craig said. “It’s a good investment for the state.”

The first June 2007 ballot question raised almost $113 million for transportation projects. Those included improvements to highways and bridges, airports, public transit facilities, ferry and port facilities, including port and harbor structures, and bicycle and pedestrian trails.

The November 2007 ballot question bonded $134 million, including money promoting research and economic development, a Maine Technology Institute competitive fund, funding for education and cultural purposes and $18.3 million for drinking water programs and wastewater treatment facilities.