Since 1939, a nonpartisan voice
Good transportation is essential to the health of Maine’s communities and its economy. The Maine Better Transportation Association has been advocating for investment in a safe, efficient transportation network since its founding in 1939 as the Maine Good Roads Association.
In the early years, the state was working to modernize and improve the safety of Maine’s highways and state roads. One of the first issues that Maine Good Roads members took up was to ensure the state had the funds to achieve that goal, including passage of a state constitutional amendment to protect Highway Fund revenues from being diverted for other purposes. The organization fought for the amendment, advocating at the state house and with voters. The amendment went to voters in September 1944 and passed overwhelmingly by a margin of 8-to-2.
Over the years, we have broadened our mission to advocate for Maine’s multimodal system, and officially changed the name to Maine Better Transportation Association in 1983 to reflect our concern for a robust network of roads, bridges, airports, ports, rail, transit and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.