This is the time of year when we really notice how much our roads have suffered over the winter. This year, the roads seem worse than ever as we drive over seemingly endless potholes. The poor condition of some of our roads and bridges is hard on our vehicles and raises serious safety concerns. The Maine Department of Transportation’s latest 3-Year Work Plan contains some hope for our area.
The MDOT is planning several major undertakings to improve both traffic safety and congestion and the quality of the roads over the next three years. The biggest project is the almost $6 million replacement of the old Somesville Bridge, which spans the Saco River between Pine Street in Biddeford and Market Street in Saco. The project begins this month and is expected to be completed in May 2016. The bridge will be closed and traffic will be detoured until the replacement is complete.
MDOT will also be making structural repairs to the Elm Street Bridge between Biddeford and Saco this summer.
Route 5 will undergo some substantial work under the MDOT plan as well. About 2.5 miles of Route 5 in Saco will be completely repaved this summer, and about one and one-quarter mile in Old Orchard beach will be repaved next year. In addition this summer, MDOT will rework the intersection of Route 5, Emerson Cummings Boulevard and Union Avenue in Old Orchard.
In addition to roads and bridges, MDOT will also be making major investments totaling about $750,000 at Biddeford Municipal Airport over the next three years. This work will include removal of obstacles, new navigation equipment and other safety improvements.
Local railroads will also benefit from the plan. The railroad crossing at Old Orchard Street in Old Orchard will be rebuilt this summer. This will include new signals, new grading and new tracks and should greatly improve the safety and visibility at this crossing.
As important as these projects all are, however, we know there is much, much more that needs to be done. We underfunded our transportation infrastructure for years and put off needed projects, and our economy suffers from it. This has gotten worse recently as receipts from the state’s gas tax ”“ which funds most of our MDOT projects ”“ has fallen. The Legislature’s Transportation Committee is working on a bipartisan, long-term solution to adequately fund our long-term transportation needs. I am hopeful that they will be successful.
Please feel free to contact me any time at barry.hobbins@legislature.maine.gov. I take my responsibility as your representative in Augusta very seriously, and I’m always glad to hear any comments, issues or ideas about state government you may have.
— Rep. Barry Hobbins represents part of Saco, and is in his eighth (non- consecutive) term in the House. He has also served five terms in the Senate. Hobbins is currently the House chair of the Judiciary Committee.
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