Maine voters are likely to approve additional borrowing for transportation projects, according to a recent poll.
According to Portland Press Herald Poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center, 66% of those surveyed indicated support for the $100 million transportation bond measure on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Only 20% of the 501 polled opposed to the measure while 13% said they were unsure. The poll, conducted between Sept 15 and Sept. 20, did not add up to 100% because of rounding, according to the UNH Survey Center.
The measure would direct $80 million of the $100 million in new borrowing toward the construction and maintenance of highways and bridges. The other $20 million would be earmarked for infrastructure upgrades to ports, harbors, aviation, freight and marine transportation facilities.
Last year, 73% of Maine voters voted yes on an $85 million transportation bond referendum, and 69% supported $15 million in borrowing for new low income senior housing.
A day prior to the referendums passing, Gov. Paul LePage let $6.5 million of 2010 voter-approved land conservation bonds expire after the expiration of a five-year deadline to be released. The Republican governor has battled legislative Democrats on releasing voter-approved bonds because of opposition to increasing timber harvesting on state-owned lands.
Maine general obligation bonds are rated Aa2 by Moody's Investors Service and AA by S&P Global Ratings.
