Public Works Director Matthew Hill recently released a list of road projects under consideration for the coming season. This work can be expensive. While routine preventative maintenance can cost as little as $7,000 a mile, full reconstruction can cost up to $1 million a mile, or more.
“Once you put the shovel in the ground, you never know what you will find,” said Hill. “If projects overrun, the difference will need to be found in potential delays for the remaining projects.”
There are several projects in the works, including a four page list of streets scheduled for crack sealing. Hill told the City Council in a recent meeting that some of the streets need a modest amount of crack sealing, some will require more, and others will be followed by pothole repair.
The city is expecting to partner with the Maine Department of Transportation, which has scheduled light capital paving on parts of Route 99, filling the gap on the portions of the roadway that are not included in the DOT’s scope of work.
Similarly, DOT is planning to pave part of Oak Street and the city is looking to see if it can partner with the state agency to pave a portion not in the state’s purview, Hill said.
He said Old Falls Road, Berube Lane and Blueberry Lane are in the plan for rehabilitation, along with a portion of Trafton Street.
Hill said Harry Howes Road Extension has been all but impassible and so the department mobilized to clear trees and will soon remove the surface of the existing pavement, add 12 inches of gravel, drainage and pavement.
Closer to downtown, Front Street, which runs from Main Street to the roundabout at Number One Pond, is in the plan for reconstruction. Sanford’s quasi-municipal sewerage and water districts will be working there first to complete their projects before reconstruction begins, Hill said.
As well, June Street and part of Vaness Street are on the reconstruction list.
On Main Street, the public works agency is planning drainage maintenance. Unitil has already started installation of a gas line on Main Street from Old Mill Road toward the downtown.
Hill told the council that the DOT plans a paving project from the roundabout in south Sanford to Route 111.
This year, DOT invested $3.6 million in Sanford, and is planning to invest $7.2 million in the coming fiscal year, he said.
“We’re putting our best foot forward and Maine DOT is responding in kind, Hill said.
Councilor Joseph Hanslip asked if the DOT funds had been appropriated.
City Manger Steve Buck said the state’s three-year work plan is made with known available resources.
“Residents have been concerned, but there is reason for optimism,” said Mayor Tom Cote.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less