ALFRED — York County Sheriff Maurice Ouellette has a solution that he believes will help solve the safety problems associated with young people running across the Salmon Falls bridge and jumping into the Saco River.
A 12- year-old Portland boy was injured one week ago when, in an effort to get a running start for his jump, he ran across the bridge and was hit by a pick-up truck. The boy, Jack Vincent, sustained serious injuries but is said to be doing better, Ouellette said Wednesday.
Ouellette said young people jumping off the bridge on Route 202 between Hollis and Buxton has been a problem for years. Some jump off the concrete railing directly into the Saco River, while others, like Vincent, start from the far side, making a running start before leaping onto the railing and diving off.
Ouellette said he has fencing material on hand from the old, vacant Route 4 jail that can be put to good use. He asked commissioners Wednesday for their permission to offer the fencing material to the Department of Transportation, and they agreed.
“I like it,” said Commission Chairman Sallie Chandler.
“It is a great idea,” said County Manager Richard Brown.
Traffic in the bridge area has doubled in the last 23 years. In 1986, there were 4,360 vehicles crossing the bridge daily. In 2008, there were 8,620, according to the DOT.
Ouellette, along with Buxton selectmen and police as well as Hollis selectmen, met with Maine DOT officials three years ago to attempt to find a solution. Ouellette suggested a fence, but the idea went nowhere and, he told commissioners Wednesday, one of the DOT representatives at that session said he used to jump off the bridge as a child.
At the time, DOT officials said a fence would interfere with bridge inspections. After the accident last week, a DOT official said the agency is willing to talk with all parties involved to find a solution, but said a fence would present problems for snow removal.
As well, DOT spokesman Mark Latti said the Salmon Falls bridge was only one of many Maine bridges from which children jump in the summer. If a fence were installed at Salmon Falls, all municipalities with the problem would want one, he said.
Buxton Police and sheriff’s deputies patrol the bridge area, but the problem persists.
“If DOT can’t afford to put a fence up there and be safety conscious we’ll provide a fence and they can put it up,” Ouellette said. And, he added, a retired engineer has provided a sketch of how the fence could be constructed in sections so it can be removed after the swimming season and not hamper snow removal.
“I’m scared to death someone will get killed over there,” said Ouellette.
Latti, the DOT spokesman, was out of the office today and could not be reached.
“I’m sure the department would receive a proposal from the sheriff,” said DOT Director of Communications Herb Thomson.
— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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