Updates on Local Items
I hope everyone is enjoying the days of summer before the kids are back in school. Below are some local updates on items that I have received calls on lately. Please contact me if you have any questions.
Have a wonderful day!
Greene-Turner Bridge
Lately, I have received questions on the proposed new Greene-Turner bridge. There are rumors that the new bridge will not have a sidewalk for pedestrians, bikers, and snowmobiles. This is important because the bridge is surrounded by the Androscoggin Riverlands State Park.
I have spoken with Maine DOT Commissioner Dave Cole about the issue. Maine DOT is in the early planning stages of the bridge. The current bridge is 20 feet wide. The new proposed bridge will be 32 feet wide with 11 foot travel lanes and 5 foot shoulders. (The current bridge has no shoulders.) The DOT believes that 5 foot shoulders will provide an area away from traffic for those wishing to cross the bridge.
I discussed this issue with the Greene Selectboard at their most recent meeting. We will collectively be keeping an eye on the situation. The bridge is listed in the Maine DOT Statewide Transportation Improvement Program for 2010-2013.
Sabattus Stoplight
As most of you may have noticed, the Sabattus stoplight at the intersection of Route 126 and 132 is up and running.
I have received several calls about a tree blocking the light on Route 132. I contacted the DOT directly about the issue. Next week, they will be closing one lane and sufficiently trimming the tree. The DOT did remind me that all of the proper signs are in place at the intersection including, a BE PREPARED TO STOP warning sign and a NEW TRAFFIC PATTERN AHEAD warning sign.
Sabattus Tax Jump Caused by $159,000 Error
Many of you may have seen this article in the Sun Journal. Great job to Selectwoman, Ronda Fournier, for catching the error.
