NORWAY — Reconstruction of a 2-mile section of Route 117 is well under way by the Maine Department of Transportation.

The project, which began three weeks ago, is expected to be completed in late November.

“There’s really no good detour I can suggest,” Rob Betz, assistant engineer of the Southern Region Highway Program, said. An estimated 4,300 motorists a day use the highway between Norway and Harrison.

The work is being conducted between 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but Betz said occasionally there may be a need to work on the weekends or longer hours, depending on the weather and problems that are encountered.

Traffic is being maintained through at least one lane opening but with up to 15 minute delays, Betz said Monday.

The two- mile stretch of road is on either side of a one-mile area that was rebuilt in 2009.

The $2.6 million project, which is being done by some 20 to 25 employees of K& K Excavators of Turner. It involves digging up the stretch of road, taking out “unsuitable” materials and replacing it with gravel and paving over it. As this work is going on, Central Maine Power is also replacing its  poles.

The road is being widened from 66 feet to 100 feet, which necessitated taking some land, Betz said.

ldixon@sunjournal.com

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