Industry, MTA and MaineDOT outline procurement, bidding and project coordination issues in joint report

A report delivered to the Joint Standing Committee on Transportation summarized recurring industry concerns about bidding outcomes, material costs, permitting windows and interagency coordination and recommended practical steps to improve project delivery in Maine.

The report, presented April 1, 2025, by Matt Marks of Cornerstone Government Affairs, gathered input from the Maine Turnpike Authority (MTA), Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) and construction industry representatives, including the Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) and Maine Better Transportation Association. Committee members said the findings will inform future policy discussion and oversight.

Why it matters: Contractor capacity, construction costs and procurement practices determine whether planned road and bridge work can be completed on time and on budget. The report documents recent episodes of rejected bids, material-price spikes and regulatory timing that reduce bidder capacity in parts of the state.

Key findings listed in the report include: - MTA reported roughly $185 million in revenue in 2023, with about two-thirds of toll revenue generated by out-of-state users; MTA carries roughly $500 million in debt with about $45 million in annual debt service. - MaineDOT awarded roughly $494 million in capital improvement contracts in 2023; both agencies continue to share engineering consultants and prequalification processes, but differences in specifications and procurement timing create friction for contractors. - Construction industry stakeholders pointed to material-price volatility, prevailing wage complexity and restricted in‑stream work windows as major drivers of bid rejections and capacity shortages in certain regions.

The report documents examples and near-term fixes that industry and agencies have already pursued: MaineDOT added contracting office staff to reduce contract closeout delays; MTA began a pilot to let active-construction vehicles use electronic toll lanes to speed traffic flow; and an MTA–DOT subcommittee is reviewing concrete specifications and a contractor-qualified-product-list process.

AGC Maine’s executive director, testifying in support, said the group welcomed the report’s practical orientation. "Mr. Brere answered a lot of questions today demonstrating his ability to do this," AGC Maine’s Kelly Flagg said in the hearing referring to the authority’s nominee; AGC told the committee it favors closer alignment between agencies on specifications and procurement where federal requirements permit.

The report also called out several longer-standing statutory and regulatory constraints. For federally funded MaineDOT projects, the Brooks Act (selection of architects and engineers on qualifications rather than price) guides consultant selection. Industry participants suggested some engineering procurement issues be discussed through the American Council of Engineering Companies forum to ensure the right technical audience is engaged.

What’s next: Committee members said they would use the report to inform hearings and budgeting decisions. The report includes maps and tables of rejected bids in 2023–24, a summary of contractor capacity, and a list of legislative items that have shaped MTA–DOT relations. Agency and industry representatives encouraged continued, frequent meetings among MaineDOT, MTA and contractors before each construction season to reduce surprises and coordinate detours and work windows.

The committee plans follow-up work sessions to consider whether statutory changes or targeted investments could address materials, staffing and specification gaps identified in the report.