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Naples Causeway Bridge Meeting Set

March 18, 2008 - NAPLES -- Selectmen are shooting for a March 31 follow-up meeting date with Maine Department of Transportation officials.

A January 30 meeting provided input from local people, who were estimated to favor a moving bridge replacement for the current swinging bridge by about a four to one margin.

The MDOT has to consider regional and state concerns, too. The biggest concern is the cost estimate of $18 million for a replacement drawbridge, which is about $7 million over original estimates. Other options are a new swing bridge estimated at $14.5 million, a refurbished swing bridge at about $8 million (with an added lifespan of only another 20 years), or a fixed bridge, at a cost of up to $6 million for the project.

Selectmen had hoped to have a follow-up meeting on March 3, but the MDOT was not able to arrange their personnel to attend that night. If held March 31, the meeting is expected to be set for 7 p.m. at the town office.

At the meeting, state officials want to talk with selectmen, but it will not be a public hearing. Christine Powers, selectmen chairman, said Monday that any specific questions to the transportation officials should be directed to selectmen beforehand.

Town manager Derik Goodine read a letter of support from Bridgton town officials Monday, noting that the bridge project "must be properly funded." Goodine explained, "the MDOT wants to lay out where they are in the process. They want to say, 'if this is what it needs to be here is the deal that will go with it.'"

Over the past few months, the resources-strapped MDOT has expressed a hope that a cheaper, fixed bridge option would work for Naples and Route 302. Residents, officials and businessmen have rallied behind a moving, opening structure, however, citing the nature of the 45-mile open waterway from the north end of Long Lake to the south end of Sebago Lake, and it's historic, economic and spinoff benefits.

The Bridgton News, March 13, 2008

Lakes: Brandy Pond, Long Lake, Sebago Lake
Regions: Sebago


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