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By LINDA BRICKLEY Staff Writer A bicycle path for Saco means trouble to some homeowners. But the sealority of residents who live along Route 9 believe the proposed bikeway will be a profitable safety measure. In a straw vote taken last night by Maine Department of Transportation officials, 41 Saco residents approved the plan, and two were opposed The public hearing lasted a few enlightening hours (including a type of light-show since electrical problems in stilled Pepperey darkness in the auditorium). The DOT’s design engineer explained the proposed bikeway using a large scale model of the streets involved, which was displayed at the front of the city hall auditorium. itizens had a chance to mill around the display before asking questions. The Bureau of Highways plan includes use of Old Orchard Beach Road south to Bay View Road to the entrance of Ferry Beach State Park, about.5398 kilometers (2.2 miles). Problems include cutting down trees on the Ferry Road to allow for the minimum six-foot buffer zone. Four residents will be affected by having trees on their property severed, but William Harris, the design engineer, said, ‘‘We don't feel the impact on trees is all that great.” No decision will be made on final plans to construct the project until 10 days after the public hearing last night, after the DOT reviews residents’ pros and cons. Written statements can also be filed with the department and included in its review. That's the reason he property owners haven't been contacted, since there’s no way of knowing the final lines until final authorization is determined, said Harris when asked that question by Earl Goodwin, president of the Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club. The Biddeford-Saco Rotary Club, it was noted, originated the bikeway beginnings almost two years ago. ‘Without us, it wouldn’t have gotten off the ground,” Goodwin told the Journal. And the name of the bike path will no doubt sound something like the Biddeford- Saco Rotary Bike Path, although nothing is definite. The Rotary Club raised $7,500 last year to help the city with its share, so that the state picked up the remaining $7,500. Total cost of the project was estimated at $50, 000 in January of 1975. The formula for funding left the city with a balance of $15, 000 to share with the state, after 70 per cent, or $35,000 is paid by federal monies. But at the last (and first) public hearing a few months ago, the state said the price has been raised to $75,000 and the city council recently appropriated $3,750 more for a project, which the state will mate And now, the total cost is $80,000 and could run a ee ptausand over that, accor ding to the DO. That's a ccbin because no one knows where the extra $5,000 will be derived. (Continued Page 10, Col. 1) Bike path ‘STUDY AREA, SCALE PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS ON STATE ROUTE 9 CITY OF SACO YORK COUNTY PROJECT NO. BWAS- 6112(10) The proposed bikeway (shaded route) for Saco leads to Ferry Beach State Park
Newspaper Details
Biddeford Journal
Biddeford, Maine, US
Thu, Sep 09, 1976
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
Kenneth F.
USA 09 Sep 2026
Other Publications Near Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford Journal Tribune
Biddeford Daily Journal
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