By Dave Dyer

Staff Writer

For people who travel Route 112 on a regular basis, fear not, help is on the way.

The Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) approved $7.5 million April 2 for highway reconstruction on Route 112 in Saco and Buxton, a stretch of 3.38 miles that starts near Rocky Hill Road in Saco and continues Route 202 in Buxton.

DOT Public Information Officer Mark Latti said $6 million of the project will be funded by the state’s allotment of federal highway funds, while the remaining $1.5 million will come from state gas taxes.

Latti said the first preliminary meeting about reconstruction began in June 2000, as part of a larger plan to repair more than 6 miles of Route 112. However, lack of funding caused the plan to be split into two 3-mile segments. He said the first half of the project, starting from Jenkins Street to Rocky Hill Road, was finished in 2006.

Latti said the focus of reconstruction will be to improve drainage and soil underneath the pavement. He said soil will be replaced with aggregate gravel fill, which gives the road a better base, leaving it less susceptible to frost heaves, which he said was a problem with Route 112.

Latti said improvements will also meet modern engineering standards, which includes widening the road, as well as better sight lines.

State Rep. Linda Valentino (D-Saco) said she has been a strong advocate of the improvement since her election to office more than five years ago.

“Every time I saw [DOT] Commissioner Cole, I asked him about it,” she said. 

Buxton Selectman Robert Libby said he was not aware of the reconstruction approval.

“I can only say that I’m extremely pleased, because it’s sat there in that state for some time,” Libby said.

Libby said selectmen are constantly questioned about improving the road, but since Route 112 is a state highway, the town is unable to make improvements. 

“It’s used all the time, especially by Poland Spring trucks,” Libby said.

Since the project means ripping up a major highway, which will tie up traffic for cars and delivery trucks, Latti said DOT will construct a traffic plan for alternative routes and detours as the improvements take place. 

Latti said construction could be a hassle for residents bordering Route 112, as widening of the road could mean taking portions of resident’s properties in order for the road to expand.

“It’s a balance, we understand that it’s part of the neighborhood, we try to accumulate concerns,” Latti said. “Sometimes we just can’t with the road design, so we help them financially if property is taken.”

State Rep. Rob Hunt (D-Buxton) said he thinks residents will understand if widening the road means taking some of their property.

“There’s ways around it,” he said. “Will it be an issue for neighbors? Possibly. Will it help us in the long run? Absolutely. I don’t foresee any problem. It will probably be a hassle for a while, but we’re happy they’re working on improvements to our town.”

Latti said there is no date for construction to begin, but said it could be as soon as fall 2010.