Robbinston highway project generates concern

In response to residents' concerns about hazardous road conditions, including high speed in an area that has poor visibility, the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) has finally begun reconstructing Route One in Robbinston village. Work is also being done on that road in Perry.

"They're really two separate projects, but they are adjacent to one another and will look like a single construction project to the casual observer," explains Jon Ketchem, Maine DOT's construction manager for the projects. "From the Lake Road in North Perry to a point about six-tenths of a mile north of Mill Cove Bridge in South Robbinston, we're planning to resurface the existing roadway. The work will include putting down a shim layer to help make the roadway more level, paving and safety improvements."

"From the end of the resurfacing project, north to the end of the project, we'll be completely rebuilding the existing roadway. Work will include digging up portions of the existing roadway, blasting to remove ledge in some locations, changes in highway alignment, drainage improvements, replacing concrete box culverts, curbing, safety improvements and paving," reports Ketchem.

Rev. Ronald Windhorst, pastor of Sewall Memorial Congregational Church, notes that the church meetinghouse sits on a very dangerous curve, across from the Redclyffe, "and the lack of visibility has been threatening to life and limb and [has] claimed many victims. The improvements to the road should greatly diminish those two threats."

However, he does have concerns about the highway project. The meetinghouse will lose about one quarter of its already small front lawn, "bringing traffic with its attendant noise that much closer to the historic building. Blasting within a matter of feet from the building cannot possibly be doing any good for it. Of special concern is the potential damage to the remarkably beautiful leaded stained glass windows in memory of the [former pastor] Rev. David Sewall... The price of maintaining such windows is costly, and the congregation is rather nervous about possible damage, both immediate and long term."

Windhorst is also concerned that by straightening and widening the road, the DOT is only encouraging increased speed. "This will probably only add to the shaking of the ground and the vibration of the leaded stained glass windows. None of these things could possibly have been anticipated when the building was first located on the site, when the stagecoach was the fastest vehicle on Robbinston's highways. It is sincerely hoped that the DOT will carefully mark and enforce a reasonable and safe speed limit through this lovely old village."
"Change must come, and the church is hopeful that the reconfiguration of the road will be a benefit to all," adds the pastor.

"Route One through Robbinston has been in such a dilapidated condition after years of neglect, anything is an improvement," points out Tom Brennan, who has lived in downtown Robbinston for over 20 years. "In the long run, it would have been much wiser for the community to support the bypass. The elimination of the hills and hollows and straightening of the curves can only result in faster traffic through a narrow artery."

Back in August of 2003, Robbinston residents, by a vote of 59-21, decided to go with the improvements to Route One proposed by the DOT. The other alternative was a possible bypass of Robbinston village, which was a response to a citizen-initiated petition organized by Robbinston resident John Brooks. The proposed bypass would have been on a ridge about 1,500 feet west of the present Route One, starting near the Robbinston Historical Society building and going behind the Sewall Memorial Congregational Church to connect with Route One near Mill Cove. The bypass project would have affected about 15 property owners.

John Brooks, now 91, has not changed his mind about the value of a bypass. "I don't expect everyone to agree with me, but my thoughts are that the state is going have to bypass the town sometime."

His home sits atop a hill looking out to St. Andrews and Navy Island as well as a good view of passing traffic. "Drivers go 65-70 [mph] now, and they'll go faster when they finish straightening out some curves and taking out some of the hills."

"We wish they were building a bypass," agrees Carol Hollingdale, who lives across the road from Brooks with husband Dan. "It would be nice to have it quiet and peaceful here and appreciate the beauty we have. It's so unspoiled."

"Although right now we have a very sharp state trooper named Kim Janes who is working very hard to keep everyone obeying the 35 mph speed limit, local folks are concerned that things will just revert to the indiscriminate speeding by the big rigs after the road project is done. We have had very tragic accidents at the sharp corner near the Redclyffe, which demanded attention," notes Brennan, adding, "The DOT workers working on the Robbinston stretch seem like a fine group of hard workers."

Ketchem says drivers can expect to encounter alternating one-way traffic and traffic delays at times but stresses Maine DOT will work to keep delays to a minimum. "With the kind of work we're doing and the locations we're doing it, some delays and traffic disruptions are inevitable." He urges drivers to allow some extra travel time to reach their destinations as well as slowing down and passing through work areas with care and caution.