Boat ramp gets funds (Printed Oct. 6)
Posted by Sentry Editor at 10/13/2006 9:06 AM 
Categories: So Po News, Environment, Open Space, Transportation
Categories: So Po News, Environment, Open Space, Transportation
By Zack Anchors
Staff Writer
The municipal boat ramp at Bug Light State Park, which has been deteriorating for years, will soon be partially repaired. Reinforced concrete panels on the west side of the ramp that have cracked and shifted will be replaced, according to Tom Myers, South Portland’s director of Waterfront and Transportation. At their Oct. 2 meeting, the city council accepted a $15,000 small harbors improvement program (SHIP) grant from the Maine Department of Transportation for the project and awarded a bid to T. Buck Construction Inc. to complete the work.
“We’ve been working since 2002 with the Department of Conservation on this,” Myers said. “The west side of the boat ramp is really in disrepair.”
Myers said the ramp currently has exposed rebar sticking out in places and is difficult for boaters to use. The ramp provides public access to the Fore River, with fees collected at the ramp funneling into an enterprise account. Residents pay $3 to launch a boat.
Originally, the city had put out for bid repair of the entire ramp, but after only receiving one bid that exceeded the available funds, the city revised the plan to include repair of only the west side of the ramp.
Because the revised bid offered by T. Buck Construction Inc. was still $14,867 beyond what the city had available, Myers searched for available funds and found the SHIP grant.
The city council had already approved $86,400 in funds for the project, and the state also donated $15,0000 in materials to be used for the project. Myers said the department of conservation was giving the city some old railroad steel that could be used to reinforce the concrete panels. The total project value is now at $115,000, including the design and engineering costs.
“I’m amazed at how creative Tom can be at finding money,” said City Councilor Kay Loring, echoing the praise of other councilors.
Myers said he expects the work to be done by December.
Staff Writer
The municipal boat ramp at Bug Light State Park, which has been deteriorating for years, will soon be partially repaired. Reinforced concrete panels on the west side of the ramp that have cracked and shifted will be replaced, according to Tom Myers, South Portland’s director of Waterfront and Transportation. At their Oct. 2 meeting, the city council accepted a $15,000 small harbors improvement program (SHIP) grant from the Maine Department of Transportation for the project and awarded a bid to T. Buck Construction Inc. to complete the work.
“We’ve been working since 2002 with the Department of Conservation on this,” Myers said. “The west side of the boat ramp is really in disrepair.”
Myers said the ramp currently has exposed rebar sticking out in places and is difficult for boaters to use. The ramp provides public access to the Fore River, with fees collected at the ramp funneling into an enterprise account. Residents pay $3 to launch a boat.
Originally, the city had put out for bid repair of the entire ramp, but after only receiving one bid that exceeded the available funds, the city revised the plan to include repair of only the west side of the ramp.
Because the revised bid offered by T. Buck Construction Inc. was still $14,867 beyond what the city had available, Myers searched for available funds and found the SHIP grant.
The city council had already approved $86,400 in funds for the project, and the state also donated $15,0000 in materials to be used for the project. Myers said the department of conservation was giving the city some old railroad steel that could be used to reinforce the concrete panels. The total project value is now at $115,000, including the design and engineering costs.
“I’m amazed at how creative Tom can be at finding money,” said City Councilor Kay Loring, echoing the praise of other councilors.
Myers said he expects the work to be done by December.
Comments