MEXICO – Staff at the Region 9 School of Applied Technology were thrilled Monday morning to hear the sounds of asphalt being torn up.

“It felt good to hear those good vibrations,” said Cheryl Ellis, student services coordinator for the vocational school.

Subcontractor C. H. Stevenson of Wayne began site work bright and early at the rear of the existing school in the area that had been used for training new truck drivers. All the asphalt must go first, said clerk of the works Jacob Kendall. Another area for training truck drivers just east of the site will be ready in time for classes.

Kendall, a Lewiston resident who works with the project’s architectural firm, Smith Reuter Lull of Bethel, said the 17,000-square-foot addition will be built first.

Then, a schedule will be worked out with general contractor Bowman Brothers Inc. of Newport for completing renovation of the interior of the existing school, Kendall said.

The $4.9 million project is expected to be completed within a year. With the additional space and renovation of the existing building, two new vocational programs will be offered during the fall of 2008, and the two programs housed outside the main building will be moved inside.

Region 9 Director Brenda Gammon said she will be working with Mexico’s fire Chief, Gary Wentzell, to find alternative fire safety escape routes while the addition is being built.

The Region 9 board has been working to make plans for the renovation and expansion of the vocational school for several years.

Voters in the 16-town vocational region approved funding the project in January.

“We’re excited about the start of the project,” said Gammon, who began her duties earlier this month. “We’re singing those good vibrations.”