LIVERMORE FALLS – Alice Lafreniere said she likes the peacefulness of walking on Foundry Road.

The Livermore woman does it whenever she can.

For now, walkers, bicyclists, skateboarders and vehicles share the same space on Foundry Road.

In fall 2005 the Department of Transportation plans to enhance the area, with a shared use path for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The half-mile stretch of that road runs from the municipal parking lot, past International Paper’s hydro dam mill, and winds around the recreation field, past the waste treatment plant and nonmotorized boat launch beside the Androscoggin River, and over the railroad tracks to Park Street.

About 100 years ago, the road was a main route through town, with businesses lining it along the river. But a fire struck and burned the district down.

Eventually, the main road through town changed, and the Foundry Road, where a foundry once stood, became a road with lush greenery.

Livermore Falls Town Manager Alan Gove has secured funds to enhance this portion in the first phase of a multi-stage project to promote alternative travel and healthiness, among other things.

The first phase, of a half-mile, is estimated to cost about $80,000. The state has agreed to pitch in $64,000 to Livermore Falls’ match of $16,000.

Voters statewide approved a transportation bond in November 2003 that covers the state’s share, and the town’s share is reserved in a Community Block Development Grant fund.

The state has the project listed to go out to bid in September 2005, and construction is expected to begin in October.

As Gove, on Foundry Road, explained that there would be designated spots for riders and pedestrians to use, Alice Lafreniere walked by.

“I think it would be a good idea,” Lafreniere said of the a bike/pedestrian path. “It’s so peaceful here. It’s a good place – not a lot of traffic. It’s like nature. There are a lot of people that use it.”

The project would include making some type of designation that separates the area, such as a striped white line for bikers, and signs, plantings and a better walking surface for pedestrians.

Gove would like to have the project start at Bridge Street off Route 4 and go to Water Street, to the municipal parking lot area, where the state plans to start the project.

He said a line could be painted and sign bought to make the two areas connect.

Gove expects the second phase of the project to go from Foundry Road up Route 133. He said a stripe could be painted and signs put up to indicate a space for bikes and walkers. The third stage would make it about a 13-mile loop from Foundry Road, up Route 133 to Route 106, to Route 219 and then Route 108, and onto River Road in Livermore, then back to Bridge Street in Livermore Falls.

“This will promote health and fitness,” Gove said.

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