Residents hear about upcoming Spurwink Avenue improvements (printed Feb. 9, 2007)
By Ward Peck
Editor
Virtually foot-by-foot, a team of engineers, designers and negotiators from the Maine Department of Transportation reviewed the design of an estimated $1.2 million reconstruction of a 1.4 mile section of Spurwink Avenue in Cape Elizabeth at a public meeting earlier this week.
The meeting attracted a handful of abutters and users of the southernmost portion of the road– extending from the intersection with Route 77 abutting the Spurwink Church north to Deer Run Road near Jordan Farm– as well as several public officials to hear how property owners would be affected as well as to see how the project might look once completed.
Rick Paraschak, Utility Coordinator for MDOT gave a brief overview of the project; know as a “Collector Highway Improvement Program” (CHIP) project, which will be funded by a combination of federal, state and town funds. Under the funding formula, Cape Elizabeth will pay 20 percent of the costs.
Paraschak described the road surface as “in poor condition.” He also said the lack of paved shoulders and the location of trees and utility poles near the road posed safety hazards. In addition to constructing a new subsurface and in one small section completely rebuilding the road, much of the work anticipated involves regrading portions of the right of way and installing catch basins, asphalt curbing and other measures to improve storm water management on the road and abutting property and other changes.
In order to complete the off-road improvements, MDOT will soon begin negotiating with property owners to secure permanent access easements and temporary construction easements in order to proceed with the project. Guy Ladd, MDOT’s Right-of-Way coordinator said he anticipates the improvements will take place within the existing right-of-way, and the project will not require MDOT to purchase any additional property as currently designed.
Paraschak said the MDOT anticipates design and easement negotiations to be concluded by March, with a request for bids to be advertised sometime in May. Under this schedule, construction is expected to begin in June and last until late fall of this year.
According to Bob Malley, director of Public Works, the town plans to pave an additional portion of Spurwink from Deer Run Road to the Purpoodock Golf Club following completion of the improvement project.
Appraisers will soon contact abutters whose property may be affected by the project to determine if and how they will be compensated. MDOT officials also requested abutters with wells in the vicinity of the road should contact MDOT so wells can be tested and monitored before and after the project.
A few abutters spoke at the meeting expressing concern about persistent flooding that occurs on their property. MDOT officials said the new design will not exacerbate the problem and will likely improve them.
Editor
Virtually foot-by-foot, a team of engineers, designers and negotiators from the Maine Department of Transportation reviewed the design of an estimated $1.2 million reconstruction of a 1.4 mile section of Spurwink Avenue in Cape Elizabeth at a public meeting earlier this week.
The meeting attracted a handful of abutters and users of the southernmost portion of the road– extending from the intersection with Route 77 abutting the Spurwink Church north to Deer Run Road near Jordan Farm– as well as several public officials to hear how property owners would be affected as well as to see how the project might look once completed.
Rick Paraschak, Utility Coordinator for MDOT gave a brief overview of the project; know as a “Collector Highway Improvement Program” (CHIP) project, which will be funded by a combination of federal, state and town funds. Under the funding formula, Cape Elizabeth will pay 20 percent of the costs.
Paraschak described the road surface as “in poor condition.” He also said the lack of paved shoulders and the location of trees and utility poles near the road posed safety hazards. In addition to constructing a new subsurface and in one small section completely rebuilding the road, much of the work anticipated involves regrading portions of the right of way and installing catch basins, asphalt curbing and other measures to improve storm water management on the road and abutting property and other changes.
In order to complete the off-road improvements, MDOT will soon begin negotiating with property owners to secure permanent access easements and temporary construction easements in order to proceed with the project. Guy Ladd, MDOT’s Right-of-Way coordinator said he anticipates the improvements will take place within the existing right-of-way, and the project will not require MDOT to purchase any additional property as currently designed.
Paraschak said the MDOT anticipates design and easement negotiations to be concluded by March, with a request for bids to be advertised sometime in May. Under this schedule, construction is expected to begin in June and last until late fall of this year.
According to Bob Malley, director of Public Works, the town plans to pave an additional portion of Spurwink from Deer Run Road to the Purpoodock Golf Club following completion of the improvement project.
Appraisers will soon contact abutters whose property may be affected by the project to determine if and how they will be compensated. MDOT officials also requested abutters with wells in the vicinity of the road should contact MDOT so wells can be tested and monitored before and after the project.
A few abutters spoke at the meeting expressing concern about persistent flooding that occurs on their property. MDOT officials said the new design will not exacerbate the problem and will likely improve them.
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