SKOWHEGAN — The state plans to complete an environment assessment of a proposed bridge location and bypass routes even as local opposition to the project continues to mount.
Ed Hanscom, the senior planner on the project for the state Department of Transportation, said Wednesday the environmental assessment should be completed early next year, followed by a public hearing on the results. Asked whether the state would persist with the bridge/bypass project if residents vote against the idea in a non-binding referendum set for next March, Hanscom was noncommittal. "I think it's a decision for the commissioner. I mean, there's no local money in this, and there are certainly regional issues that have to be weighed in, and the funding is a big part of it as well. I don't have an answer for that, I guess," Hanscom said. Hanscom said "it's important to know where the town government stands on this issue. And obviously they have got to consider what they hear from the DOT and the citizens as well, and their neighbors." State DOT planners have been working with a local committee for six years on plans for a second Kennebec River bridge in Skowhegan with an eye to reducing the amount of traffic flowing through the downtown. Much of that time was spent weeding through more than a dozen options for different bridge and bypass locations and configurations, many of which involved associated bypasses. In July the DOT settled on a preferred alternative that not only called for a bridge east of the downtown but a bypass that would circle around the town on the east and south. The scale of the project startled many residents who had been paying only peripheral attention during a planning process that started in 1997. And it galvanized opposition from business people and those who stood to see their homes and businesses bulldozed to make way for the road. After listening to opponents for two hours Tuesday night, selectmen agreed to schedule a non-binding referendum on the bridge-bypass project for March. During Tuesday's meeting opponents repeated arguments that a bypass and kill the town economically. Several suggested an economic study should be done to quantify the potential effects on Skowhegan's economy. Hanscom said such a study is "not something we typically do," though "we're going to look at it to see if it makes sense. We have done a few, with some outside help." Town Manager Patricia A. Dickey said Wednesday she will write a letter to the state about the issue, but "I've got to put a lot of thought into the letter. I won't get back to the board until the end of October. Skowhegan Road Commissioner Gregory A. Dore said he has his own concerns over the wisdom of a bypass. "The option we've been offered isn't going to work. It's too much. It's much bigger than I thought it would be," Dore said. Dore said he does not believe the state would force such a large scale project on the community, however. "The state has so many projects they have to do. I think they'll say they will spend the money somewhere else," Dore said. Joe Rankin — 474-9534, Ext. 341 jrankin@centralmaine.com
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