Alternative detour for Route 11 announced

MECHANIC FALLS — Drivers discovered Monday morning that they don’t have to take a 12½-mile detour this week while most of Route 11 between Mechanic Falls and Poland is closed for culvert replacement.

Drivers coming from Mechanic Falls can take Route 11 west for 2½ miles and turn left onto Brown Road, which connects to Route 26 in Poland. Drivers coming from Poland can take Route 26 to Brown Road and turn right onto Route 11 to reach downtown Mechanic Falls.

Last week, the Maine Department of Transportation announced Route 11 would be closed this week to replace a culvert on the Poland end. A 12½-mile detour was set up but later altered because 2½ miles of Route 11 in Mechanic Falls will remain open.