POLAND — Plans for the reconstruction of the “final mile” of Route 26 went on view at the Town Office on Wednesday.

Ernie Martin, Maine Department of Transportation manager for the project, said he expected to be advertising for bids by December, with construction scheduled to begin in April 2013.

“But, if we have a winter like the one we just had, we might be starting in March,” Martin said.

Work will begin at Brown Road, not far from the Poland Community School, and continue north 1.07 miles to just before the Route 11 intersection, Martin said.

“The project is funded. There’s $2.6 million available now,” he said.

The work, Martin said, completes the yearslong effort to improve Route 26 from Gray through Poland.

JoAnn Fryer of CDL Engineers noted that the reconstructed road will have two 11-foot travel lanes, with five-foot paved shoulders and a center turn lane from about the Tripp Lake Road to the high school.

A sidewalk will run along the westerly side, from the high school south toward the Town Office, to connect with the sidewalk installed a year ago in the village center.

Residents suggested a few changes that engineers might incorporate in preparing final plans.

Steve Robinson pointed out there ought to be a center turn lane for northbound traffic intending to make a left on Tripp Lake Road.

Reginald Jordan asked that they install guardrails, starting near Brown Road and running along his property.

Lou Moran said it appeared they might be eliminating trees and vegetation that presently shield his house from southbound traffic.

Moran also feared that stormwater control plans might shunt water onto his property and across his driveway.

Kevin Pacheco was concerned stormwater flows could flood his parking lot at Poland Crossing.

George Sanborn questioned whether, given the possibility that a sewer might be extended from Mechanic Falls, should the area begin to develop crossover sewer pipes at this time.

John Cleveland noted that the traffic islands in front the high school, which plans showed would be topped with asphalt, could be planted with flowers.

“That marks the entry to the new village area. We want that to look nice,” Cleveland said.

He requested they use dirt to top the islands.

Luther Yonce, MDOT’s right of way person for the project, pointed out that the map showed no houses “circled in red.”

“That means no one will be moved, but there will be issues,” Yonce said. He pointed out that the right of way was being kept pretty much at its present 66-foot width, but that plans show a number of slices, here and there, that will be taken.

He also asked that owners of property along the road let MDOT know if they have cellar drains that pipe toward the road or have septic systems or wells near the road.

“If you have to ask ‘how close is too close,’ you better ask. We can’t see things like that to map them,” Yonce said.

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