David Cole likes to have a firsthand look at transportation issues whenever he can.
On Thursday afternoon, the Maine Department of Transportation commissioner got a chance to see at least three road and bridge problems in the River Valley thanks to the forethought of Mexico Town Manager John Madigan and Rep. Randy Hotham, R-Dixfield.
Cole had made plans to attend a Maine Chamber of Commerce event in Bethel on Thursday night. Madigan and Hotham asked him to check out the Thad White Bridge, the blinking light at the intersection of Route 2 and the Veterans Bridge, and the four corners intersection in Peru.
All three have existing or potential problems, according to many people.
A primary focus was on the dilemma facing the two towns of Dixfield and Mexico at the Thad White Bridge. The one-span, one-lane, 18-foot wide bridge crosses the Webb River from Coburn Avenue and connects the two towns. With only an eight-ton weight limit, emergency vehicles cannot cross the bridge to get to the three homes on the Mexico side.
It was built in 1935 under the Works Project Administration during the Great Depression and is jointly owned by both towns. The Dixfield side’s abutment is made from granite while the Mexico side is concrete.
Mexico and Dixfield petitioned the MDOT in August to pay for half the cost of replacing it, estimated at $200,000. If the state agreed to foot half the bill, each town would be responsible for $50,000.
Mexico is also looking into an alternative access and cost for building a new road from the Mexico side to the three homes.
The petition came after an inspection by the MDOT that showed severe damage to the deck and to some of the steel beams.
Cole said Thursday that replacement costs would likely not be eligible for federal funding. He plans to look at the options from the state before reporting back to the two towns.
He also took a look at the intersection of Route 2 and Veterans Bridge. Because of the number of accidents at the site, some have wanted installation of a traffic light at the intersection rather than a blinking light. Some regard the railings along the sides of the bridge as an impediment to a clear view of oncoming traffic as well.
He will also check into the needs of the four-way intersection in West Peru. A new SAD 21 elementary school is planned for construction within the next year or two. Some concern has been expressed about the curve into the intersection from Rumford.
Cole said a traffic movement permit will likely be needed once the school is nearing completion.
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