By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
“This is a celebratory moment,” stated Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Cole, “this project grew out of the Aroostook County Transportation Study, a major goal of which was to help spur economic growth in the region.”
Aroostook Republican photo/Barb Scott
Caribou municipal and other state officials joined Gov. John Baldacci and David Cole, Maine Commissioner of Transportation, in an inside ground-breaking ceremony held on Monday afternoon, celebrating the beginning of work on the Caribou Connector. Participating in the ceremony were, from left: Rep. Ken Theriault, Rep. Patricia Sutherland, Sen. Troy Jackson, Sen. John Martin, Gov. Baldacci, Congressman Michael Michaud, Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison, Virginia Joles, LEAD president; Phil Bossie, representing Sen. Susan Collins; Kim Rhone, representing Sen. Olympia Snowe; and Commissioner Cole. In back at left is Steven Buck, Caribou city manager.
The project Commissioner Cole was speaking about on Monday afternoon before local and state officials, community members and Gov. John Baldacci, was the Caribou Connector, a 4.3-mile long route, which according to Cole, will help improve the region’s economy by improving transportation mobility, improving safety in Caribou, providing traffic relief downtown, improving traffic mobility and providing better access to areas north of Caribou downtown area.
Soderberg Construction of Caribou, is the contractor for the first segment of the project which includes construction of a one-mile segment which was to begin on Monday. Construction will be suspended for the winter, and begin again in the spring with the segment to be completed by October 2011.
The long awaited project which has been in the planning for more than 20 years, heads east off of Route 1, south of the Route 1/89 intersection northeast of Caribou continuing westerly to Route 161 northwest of Caribou. According to officials, this route was selected by the transportation study group as the preferred route, as it minimized impacts to existing businesses near downtown and minimized impacts to agricultural operations. The Federal Highway Administration also approved this route as the environmentally preferred route for the bypass.
The second segment, an additional 3.3 miles of the connector is presently being advertised and a construction contractor will be named later this fall. Construction on this segment is to begin this spring with the entire length of the 4.3-mile Caribou Connector expected to be completed and open to traffic in the fall of 2012.
During the Oct. 25 ground-breaking ceremony, Gov. John Baldacci stated, “ The Caribou Connector is an important transportation enhancement that will provide major benefits to the city of Caribou and Aroostook County. The improved travel mobility will support increased economic growth by reducing travel times and separating local traffic from thru-traffic. This is another great milestone for the Caribou and the rest of the County with more to come in the future.”
Among the state and local dignitaries present at the ceremony was Congressman Michael Michaud who stated, “This day is a long time coming, but it’s great to see that progress is being made. Everyone here knows that we need the proper infrastructure in place if we are going to grow our economy and create jobs. Back in 2005, I worked to secure funding for the North-South Highway in the transportation reauthorization bill because of the importance of it to this region’s economy. Today, I am happy to see that the Caribou Connector project is moving forward. It will create jobs and increase economic activity in the area and position us to grow our economy.”
Michaud also stated, “This day was made possible through the steadfast advocacy of so many dedicated leaders here in Aroostook County and I have been proud to be a committed partner at the federal level.”
Sen. Susan Collins, unable to attend the ceremony, stated in part in a letter, presented by Phil Bossie, “This project marks the first step in the in the construction of the Aroostook North-South Highway. Safe, reliable and up-to-date transportation is a critical component of economic development. I am pleased to congratulate Leaders Encouraging Aroostook Development for its dedication to improving Aroostook County’s economy by focusing on improving its transportation infrastructure. I also thank Caribou City Manager Steve Buck, the city council and especially the residents of Caribou, for their dedication to selecting a route that maximizes the benefit to the city and to all of Aroostook County.”
In her remarks, Sen. Collins also stated, “At the request of many Aroostook businesses and residents, I have worked to help secure more than $50 million in federal funding for the Aroostook North-South Highway project. It is ultimately the people who live, work and grow businesses in Aroostook who must decide on the transportation infrastructure improvements that best meet our safety and economic needs. I commend all of you for your hard work.”
Sen. Olympia Snowe, also sent a letter of congratulations, read by her representative Kim Rhone. These remarks included, in part, “First and foremost, I would like to commend Steve Buck, city manager of Caribou, members of LEAD and the countless others whose focus and commitment has ensured that the Caribou connector become a viable reality. Through the many plans and many years it would have been easy to become discouraged and distracted from the importance of improved transportation systems — but instead, local, stated and federal entities whose outstanding collaboration and consideration of the opinions of the people who are most affected by transportation improvements in Aroostook. It was with great pleasure that I worked, along with my colleagues, to provide essential funding to study and ultimately construct this new piece of highway that will, without doubt, enhance safety, access and economic development for Caribou and its surrounding communities.”
Another speaker during the ground-breaking ceremony held at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center was Virginia Joles, president of LEAD. Joles offered sincere thanks on behalf of the near 100 members of LEAD, to Gov. Baldacci, Commission Cole and others who serve in municipal, state and federal levels of government for their support and persistence to push forward with the first piece of the North-South Highway. “Since 1990, more than 20 year, LEAD has advocated for a north-south highway,” said Joles, “it is exciting to know that construction is beginning today on the first segment. We want you to know we appreciate your diligent focus. This is a wonderful first step.”
In his remarks Caribou Mayor Kenneth Murchison, addressed the approximately 50 individuals present, by saying that being involved for nearly two decades, through various positions, he had seen the development of this project via a very unique perspective and feels strongly that, “this is a stepping stone for the rest of the County and the continuation of the North/South Highway.”
