Rumford and Mexico will decide whether to route trucks around downtown Mexico.
MEXICO – A tentative meeting has been set to try to resolve a bypass issue that has been plaguing the neighboring towns of Rumford and Mexico.
Town Manager Joseph Derouche told selectmen Thursday that plans are under way to hold a meeting of the boards from the two towns as well as representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation. It is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30.
At that meeting, the two towns will decide whether to post signs rerouting large trucks around a section of Route 2, some of which would bypass Mexico’s downtown business district.
Rumford had proposed a state designated truck route bypass.
However, Mexico has said that such a posting would also encourage passenger vehicles to follow large trucks, resulting in a loss of downtown business. The proposed route would direct traffic off Route 2 at Veterans’ Bridge and onto Route 108.
The compromise proposal suggests posting a yellow, weight limit sign, at 80,000 pounds, and an arrow pointing toward Route 108. The sign won’t say truck route or bypass.
“This is a compromise. There would be no sign on Route 17 or Route 120,” he said.
Also, there would be no legal restrictions on trucks that chose not to take the alternate route. Derouche said most trucks affected by an 80,000-pound weight limit are either fully loaded logging trucks or chemical trucks.
But first, Derouche said the MDOT must approve such a sign. If approved, the precise location of the signs would be determined by the MDOT.
The planned meeting follows a joint meeting by both boards held last month to try to work out a compromise. Rumford officials had called for the bypass because they believe large trucks traveling over parts of Route 2 that wind through their town pose a safety hazard. Mexico officials fear that a loss of traffic through their town would hurt business.
The MDOT had denied Rumford’s request because the two towns did not agree to it.
Cycle Tourism
Selectman Monique Aniel proposed launching a new bicycle trek that could bring tourism to the town as well as show off a designated scenic highway.
“We’re near a scenic highway. This would connect us with a different group of people and bring them to the area,” she said.
She suggested a route starting in Mexico, then traveling 37 miles up Route 17 to Oquossoc.
“This is the day of cycling and this is the most beautiful land. It would put Mexico on the map,” she said.
Derouche agreed, and asked her to head up a committee to look into organizing such an event for next summer.
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