York Town News
Bridge project to include sidewalks, if voters approve
By Larry Favinger
YORK - If all goes well there will be sidewalks from River Road to the campground in Cape Neddick when the new Passaconaway Bridge is built on Shore Road.The Board of Selectmen approved an agreement with the Maine Department of Transportation at its Monday night meeting at the library.
Town Manager Robert Yandow told selectmen MDOT has agreed to put a five-foot raised concrete sidewalk on the easterly side of the bridge and raised asphalt sidewalks on that side of the approaches for about 65 feet in each direction.
If town voters approve funding for road improvements and additional sidewalks in May of 2007, the state will extend their sidewalks another 75 feet on either approach for a total of 400 feet to complete the project. With the town's addition, the sidewalk will run from River Road to the campground.
Selectmen Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell objected to the phrasing in one section of the agreement that called for the town to "raise and appropriate" the funds for the project in May 2007, saying voters can approve the expenditure but the money can't be appropriated until the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1.
The agreement, which also calls for colored galvanized railings and bridge beam fascia treatment on either side, was approved with the words "and appropriated" removed. The town will decide on the color of the railings and fascia from about five options provided by MDOT prior to Aug. 23.
Selectman Torbert Macdonald Jr. said Yandow and Public Works Director Bill Bray "did a great job" in negotiating the agreement to include the sidewalks, adding, "I commend them for it. They got all they could get."
Board Chairman David Marshall agreed.
"You got what we pushed back for," he said. "I commend you for your work."
Bardwell was concerned about the change in wording, however, noting he wants "to make sure this happens. I'm very wary of this."
The agreement, with the wording change, will now go back to MDOT for final approval.
The motion to go forward with the agreement was made by Selectman Michael Estes, seconded by Selectman Len Dorrian and approved unanimously.
The bridge was destroyed in the Mother's Day Weekend storm and has been replaced by a temporary structure. With the agreement in hand, MDOT's original schedule can apparently be met, Yandow said, meaning the temporary bridge will be removed and construction started on the new one in early September with the aim of having it done possibly by Memorial Day but certainly by July 1, 2007.
Of the estimated $2 million-plus project cost, 80 percent will be paid for by the Federal Highway Administration with the state covering the other 20 percent.
MDOT held several public meetings in York to discuss the project, during which the need for sidewalks was addressed.
It was MDOT's initial stance that sidewalks could not be included in the project, but the town continued to push for their inclusion.
In another storm related action, Yandow told the board the repairs to Logging and Clay Hill roads have gone out to bid and those bids are scheduled to be received and opened Aug. 3.
Yandow requested a special meeting of the board for Friday, Aug. 4, to review those bids and award contracts to allow construction to start immediately.
Portions of both roads have been closed since the storm.
