ATV and snow sled bridge project complete

By Ben Austin
Staff Writer
    Houlton — The Aroostook Riders ATV Club and officials of the Town of Houlton came together last weekend for the closing ceremonies of a brand new ATV and Snow Sled Bridge that is two years in the making.
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
COMPLETED — Taking part in the ribbon cutting ceremony were, from left, Town Manager Doug Hazlett, Carl Campbell, Brian Bronson, Lori Weston and Sue Tortello. Also attending the ceremony were Gerald Dickison, Dennis and Bonnie Lewallen, Clifford Folsom, John Fitzpatrick, Joe Hughes, Richard Sherwood, Francis Fitzpatrick, Wade and Allix Hanson, Real Deshane, Brenda Campbell, Brent and Jennifer Conley, Joe Willette, Chris and Sonia Langille, Guy Miller, and Dan and Sylvia Bridgham.
    Members of the Aroostook Riders gladly formed a convoy shuttle system with their ATVs Saturday morning as they hustled town members and spectators alike along the trail behind Ivy’s Motor Inn to hold the closing ceremonies for the Bridge Project 2007.
    “It’s fantastic to see the town work in partnership with both snow sled and ATV clubs. We were helpful in getting the grant and coordinating all of that, which is what I think the town should be doing,” explained town Manager Doug Hazlett.
    The new bridge gives riders an easy route from the west bank of the Meduxnekeag, owned by the Houlton Water Company, to the east bank, owned by Francis Fitzpatrick.
    “The land owners really need to be thanked for all their cooperation throughout the project,” said Carl Campbell, of the Aroostook Riders, Monday.
    Campbell also pointed out that the bridge would have been impossible to complete if it had not been for all the volunteers who were dedicated to the project.
    Riders will now be able to get to route 1 and through town without difficulty from the intersection of trails by the outskirts of town. Rather than having to drive up onto the bridge of I-95, which is quite dangerous, the riders now have their own safe bridge leading right to an economic center of our town.
    “This is a good combination of safety, additional recreation for people, and economic gain for the community and the businesses located up there,” Hazlett added.
Pioneer Times photo/Ben Austin
INSPECTING — Spectators stand on the bank of the Meduxnekeag River gazing as a canoe passes under the newly completed ATV and snow sled bridge last Saturday.
    The planning and grant writing for the new bridge started just over two years ago. Major funding for the project began in July of 2007 and was provided by the Department of Conservation and the Recreational Trails Program.
    Saturday’s ribbon cutting ceremony was the second for the ATV bridge, celebrating the end of the two year project. The first ribbon cutting at the bridge was held last winter, when the bridge first became open to snow sleds.
    Since the completion of the project new ideas have arisen for additions to the bridge. Plans have been made to add solar lights high on the bridge so that travelers on I-95 can see it at night as they pass by. A sign will also be put up on the water company’s side of the bridge commemorating the entire project and those who provided funding for the bridge.