WEST PARIS – The next phase of an ongoing Main Street reconstruction project is scheduled for the summer of 2005 and will include a 950-foot stretch from the Bradeen residence to the Kingsbury Street intersection.

An earlier phase done in 2001 involved a rebuild of the section from the railroad tracks near the Penley Corp. offices to the Bradeen residence area.

According to Road Commissioner Bill Keach, the coming phase will involve the removal of some trees on the corner by the Benson residence and grinding and rebuilding the road surface. Along with these parts of the project the sidewalks will be rebuilt and lowered, curbing will be installed and new catch basins will be installed to improve drainage.

Keach also said the project will be done by his highway crew following specifications engineered by the Maine Department of Transportation.

Along with rebuilding the street, the West Paris Water District will replace its old water mains with new 10-inch pipe.

The estimate cost of the project is $170,000 with the state providing two thirds and the town throwing in the remaining amount. The town funds are available in the Main Street Rebuild Account.

Water District board member Phil Edmunds said, “We can’t do anything until we have money. We have two grant applications out but no decision has been made at this time. As soon as we have word that our applications have been approved so we know we have the money to do our part of the project, we will have a plan.”

Edmunds hopes to hear soon whether the district’s grant applications have been approved so the district can move ahead with planning for the project.