Work on highway construction projects to improve two sections of Route 2 in Bethel and Gilead has begun, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. “The utilities along the project have begun the work they need to do before the heavy construction can begin,” explained Emerson Merrill, MDOT’s construction manager for both projects.

The Bethel project begins at Route 2 and the Fleming Road in Bethel and extends east for just over four miles, the vicinity of Route 2 and Route 5. The Gilead project begins at the Maine-New Hampshire state line and extends east for about one and one-half miles, to the vicinity of the Wild River bridge.

Work in both areas will include grading and drainage improvements, recycling of existing pavement, new concrete culverts, guardrail and curbing improvements, retaining walls where necessary, and new trees and shrubs.

The two projects were combined into a single contract to reduce administrative costs. Bids on that contract were opened in December and the project was officially awarded to H.E. Sargent of Stillwater on a bid of just under $7.5 million. Sargent will determine when to actually start highway work on the project, which is expected to extend through the 2004 and 2005 construction seasons. The anticipated completion date for all work on both projects is Oct. 1, 2005.

Contract specifications prohibit the removal of existing pavement prior to springtime. In areas where gravel will be placed atop the existing pavement as part of the new roadway base, that activity is also prohibited until springtime.

In anticipation that the project will be shut down during the winter of 2004-05, the contract also specifies that all excavated or filled area must be paved with at least the initial course of pavement no later than Nov. 15, 2004. The contractor also is prohibited from removing or filling over pavement being used to carry traffic between Nov. 15, 2004, and the spring of 2005.

The department has made a commitment to do its best to keep traffic flowing smoothly through the construction area, but also cautions that a project of this magnitude often requires a level of inconvenience simply because of the nature of the work.

Copy the Story Link