RUMFORD – At least two dozen state and local officials, emergency personnel, school district representatives and other community leaders, as well as many people from the general public are expected at a discussion that could determine whether a truck route bypass will be designated around a portion of Route 2.

The meeting, called by Mexico selectmen and the town manager, is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 30, at the American Legion Hall.

At issue is a request by Rumford officials for the Maine Department of Transportation to designate an alternative truck route around a section of Route 2. It would bypass several narrow streets in Rumford as well as Mexico’s business district.

Rumford officials have said that the bypass is necessary because of the safety issues that arise since large trucks sometimes use Route 2. Mexico officials have said such a bypass could severely hurt Mexico’s downtown business section because often passenger vehicles and campers follow trucks.

The DOT rejected Rumford’s request last month. However, DOT engineer Norm Haggan said the matter is far from dead. Because of the volatility of the issue, he expects the final decision will be made by the DOT commissioner.

Mexico Town Manager Joseph Derouche has invited Rumford selectmen, representatives from the Mexico and Rumford police and fire departments, Med-Care Ambulance, MeadWestvaco, SAD 43, the Route 2 Corridor Committee, the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, the DOT and local legislators to the discussion. Many local businesspeople are expected to attend. Derouche said he hopes to have a neutral person facilitate the meeting.

Both towns have launched petition drives. More than 800 signatures from registered Maine voters opposing the bypass route have been gathered in Mexico. About 1,000 are expected to be turned in by Tuesday. Those petitions will be sent to DOT Commissioner David A. Cole and Gov. John E. Baldacci.

Rumford officials last week said they had gathered about 100 signatures from Rumford residents supporting the bypass. The deadline for the pro-bypass petition is early October.

As proposed, the truck route would leave Route 2 heading west at Veterans Bridge and the mill yard, connect with Route 108, cross Morse Bridge in Rumford, then reconnect with Route 2 near the foot of Falls Hill.

Heading east, trucks would leave Route 2 at Morse Bridge, connect with Route 108, then reconnect with Route 2 in Mexico after crossing through the mill yard in Rumford, and Veterans Bridge.

eadams@sunjournal.com

Copy the Story Link