Bulldozers could begin building a long awaited Gorham bypass in the latter part of next year, Maine Department of Transportation officials speculated Tuesday.
“It’s getting closer,” Gorham Town Manager David Cole said of a construction start.
Residents and commuters will learn about plans for the bypass in an informational meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, at Gorham High School, 41 Morrill Ave.
Congress earmarked $15.7 million last year for the first phase of the bypass, a route southwest of Gorham Village. The 3.4-mile highway would connect Route 114 south of Waterhouse Road to Route 25 west of Cressey Road. The bypass will cross Route 202 and Flaggy Meadow Road. Construction of the two-lane highway is planned for 2007 and 2008.
State transportation officials said the meeting would be of interest particularly to abutters and others who might have recently acquired property in the South Gorham area. The meeting will include public comment.
Heath Cowan, the transporation department’s project manager, will be on hand, along with Ray Faucher, the department’s planning manager, to answer questions about the bypass. Residents will receive a refresher on details of the bypass and its impact on the community. The bypass will improve safety and reduce commuter and truck traffic in downtown Gorham.
The meeting is not about phase 2, a northerly route, which would link Route 25 east of Gorham Village with Route 25 west of the village. To see a map of the proposed Gorham Bypass, phases 1 and 2, visit www.mainedot.gov and look for a link to the Gorham project.
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