The Maine Department of Transportation’s plan to outsource the operation and maintenance of the Casco Bay Bridge to a private, Florida-based company represents an unprecedented policy shift that could have serious implications.

The department announced this major policy change suddenly during the holiday week without notice to, or oversight from, the Legislature’s Transportation Committee that oversees transportation policy in Maine. Several members of the committee, ourselves included, have serious concerns about this move by the department, most importantly about public safety.

The department’s decision to go it alone on a policy shift of this magnitude should be of concern to every town, not just Portland and South Portland. Whether bridges, roads or railroads, taxpayer-built infrastructure should not be transferred out of the control of the state without public notification and review. Taxpayers deserve reassurances that publicly-funded transportation assets will not later be subjected to private control without public input.

The change in responsibility over this major state transportation infrastructure raises concerns about bridge safety and the safety of the 32,000 people who drive across it each day. Current MDOT employees who oversee the bridge have done so professionally, with a strong focus on public safety, for the smooth operation of an important state asset that facilitates the movement of workers, tourists and commercial and individual goods, including the commercial ships that pass under the bridge carrying sensitive cargo, such as oil.

When MDOT first discussed the privatization of the bridge with the public, the department spokesman said its focus was on cost savings, indicating savings are part of the department’s “mission,” and that outsourcing the bridge’s operations is just an extension of what MDOT has been doing under Gov. Paul LePage.

We should all aspire to fiscal responsibility — particularly when taxpayer dollars are concerned — but cost cutting cannot ever displace safety as a core mission. Carrying out that mission effectively must be a high priority for the department and its staff. That is exactly what the current state employees operating the Casco Bay Bridge have done — performing an important public service efficiently and effectively for years.

Equally concerning is that the department reversed course last week, announcing that the contract would not result in direct cost savings for the state. The justification for this policy shift isn’t clear at this point and there remain many questions about the potential benefits or pitfalls of this $3.8 million contract, paid for with taxpayer money.

At this time, members of the Transportation Committee are not aware of what is in the contract. It is unknown if there are protections against the company putting in a private toll, what safety procedures will be required, or whether this company will be as accountable to the public as the state is.

An earlier proposal to privatize the duties of MDOT staff in another department was included in the most recent transportation budget approved by the Legislature. Why did the department choose not to include this bridge proposal as part of the budget and, instead, decide to bypass the committee and the Legislature?

Major policy changes such as this should be subjected to legislative oversight and the public should have the opportunity to raise concerns and ask important questions. The decision to make this change without legislative review and public comment was wrong.

The Casco Bay Bridge is a critical state transportation asset, and its operation and maintenance should remain a priority for MDOT. And, most importantly, public safety must take precedence over agency cost savings.   

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Lewiston, is serving his first term in the Maine Legislature. Rep. Christine Powers, D-Naples, is serving her second term in the Maine Legislature. Both are members of the Transportation Committee.