Rumford, Mexico compromise on Route 2 dilemma
By Eileen M. Adams
Staff Writer

MEXICO – Rumford and Mexico officials arrived at an amicable compromise Thursday night that will ensure safer roads while preserving Mexico’s downtown business area.

It’s all in a sign.

Rumford officials had wanted a designated truck bypass route around a section of Route 2 that would have eclipsed Mexico’s business district, as well as avoiding a windy, narrow section of the highway in Rumford. Mexico complained that such a route would severely impact the town’s small businesses. Rumford said the bypass was needed so that large trucks would be diverted off the town’s narrow section of Route 2.

Both towns agreed that tractor-trailer trucks on that section of Rumford could pose safety problems, and Rumford officials said they didn’t want to hurt Mexico’s economy.

But Mexico officials said that diverting such large vehicles with an official truck route bypass sign would also take with them much-needed passenger traffic. Studies have backed up that belief, they said.

Several joint meetings during the past few weeks, sometimes with caustic comments from each side have taken place, with representatives from the Maine Department of Transportation in the middle.

The DOT had denied Rumford’s request for a designated bypass because both towns hadn’t agreed to it.

But an idea originating in Europe seems to have solved the dilemma. It was suggested by Mexico Selectman Monique Aniel, who’s a native of Belgium.

Instead of official truck route bypass signs, which are often included in travel itineraries, the DOT will post more informal signs – without the word “bypass” – that will target trucks larger than 80,000 pounds. These signs will be about 4 by 3 feet, and green with white lettering, which are the colors of informational signs. They will merely say “Eastbound Trucks over 80,000 lbs.” or “Westbound Trucks over 80,000 lbs.” with an arrow pointing to Route 108. Large trucks that do not follow the route will not be subject to penalties.

Sometime in December, DOT will install one sign between the two entrances of the Rumford information center on Route 108 and another on the north side of Route 2 just east of Veterans’ Bridge in Mexico. Official DOT white with black lettering signs will direct trucks back onto Route 2 once the congested areas are bypassed.

“I’m happy that we’ve come to a resolution that will work and not impact the economic stability,” said DOT Division 7 engineer Norm Haggan.

Now, both towns want DOT to do something about the intersection of Route 2 with Veterans’ Bridge in Mexico. They want a traffic signal that some say will make it safer for vehicles to enter the highway from the bridge.

Haggan and traffic engineer Brian Keezer said a traffic count was conducted a few weeks ago. The results will be shared with both towns once the count has been tabulated.

eadams@sunjournal.com

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