By Ward Peck

Editor

    Virtually foot-by-foot, a team of engineers,
designers and negotiators from the Maine Department of Transportation
reviewed the design of an estimated $1.2 million reconstruction of a
1.4 mile section of Spurwink Avenue in Cape Elizabeth at a public
meeting earlier this week.

    The meeting attracted a handful of abutters and
users of the southernmost portion of the road– extending from the
intersection with Route 77 abutting the Spurwink Church north to Deer
Run Road near Jordan Farm– as well as several public officials to hear
how property owners would be affected as well as to see how the project
might look once completed.

    Rick Paraschak, Utility Coordinator for MDOT gave a
brief overview of the project; know as a “Collector Highway Improvement
Program” (CHIP) project, which will be funded by a combination of
federal, state and town funds. Under the funding formula, Cape
Elizabeth will pay 20 percent of the costs.

    Paraschak described the road surface as “in poor
condition.” He also said the lack of paved shoulders and the location
of trees and utility poles near the road posed safety hazards. In
addition to constructing a new subsurface and in one small section
completely rebuilding the road, much of the work anticipated involves
regrading portions of the right of way and installing catch basins,
asphalt curbing and other measures to improve storm water management on
the road and abutting property and other changes.

    In order to complete the off-road improvements, MDOT
will soon begin negotiating with property owners to secure permanent
access easements and temporary construction easements in order to
proceed with the project. Guy Ladd, MDOT’s Right-of-Way coordinator
said he anticipates the improvements will take place within the
existing right-of-way, and the project will not require MDOT to
purchase any additional property as currently designed.

    Paraschak said the MDOT anticipates design and
easement negotiations to be concluded by March, with a request for bids
to be advertised sometime in May. Under this schedule, construction is
expected to begin in June and last until late fall of this year.

    According to Bob Malley, director of Public Works,
the town plans to pave an additional portion of Spurwink from Deer Run
Road to the Purpoodock Golf Club following completion of the
improvement project.

    Appraisers will soon contact abutters whose property
may be affected by the project to determine if and how they will be
compensated. MDOT officials also requested abutters with wells in the
vicinity of the road should contact MDOT so wells can be tested and
monitored before and after the project.

    A few abutters spoke at the meeting expressing
concern about persistent flooding that occurs on their property. MDOT
officials said the new design will not exacerbate the problem and will
likely improve them.