Short truck route better than Bypass

To the editor:
    In February 2002, the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) completed a “Draft Environmental Assessment for the Easton Industrial Access Road Study.” The authors were Raymond Faucher, MDOT and Peter Kleskovic, FHWA. Here’s exactly what they concluded.
    “In summary, a new connector road between Routes 163/167 (Fort Road) and Conant Road would create a shorter, faster, and more direct connection to the Easton industrial area, thereby improving the movement of materials and lowering transportation costs for industries in the area. Furthermore, it would help to reduce the amount of truck traffic in downtown Presque Isle by providing a more direct route that avoids the downtown area. This would in turn help to improve traffic conditions, noise levels, and air quality in the downtown area.”
    The proposed 1.4 mile connector (with approximately 2,300 feet of auxiliary lanes) would not cross any streams, would have no adverse impacts to the Aroostook River, and would accomplish the project purpose and need.
    The connector would have minimal farmland impact. Jim Brown of Presque Isle would not have his farm split in half. The neighborhood north of the river on the Higgins Road would be spared. Construction cost would be attainable. So, what on earth happened to the Easton Industrial Access Road Study — PIN #6462.11?
    Allowed only one question, I stood at an Aroostook County Transportation Study Public Advisory Committee Meeting at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center in 2005 to ask the status of environmental permits for the truck route connector. Mr. Faucher nearly lost his balance, rising so quickly from his chair. He advised me the project had been folded into the North to South highway’s “Hm/L Corridor.” Segment 7 of this corridor is now referred to as the proposed Presque Isle Bypass.
    This past week, I read the city of Presque Isle Comprehensive Plan (yet to be approved by City Council) prepared by an appointed citizen Planning Board. On Page 11 of the 200-page document, I read, in part, “a heavy truck corridor to the north of the urban area along Rt. #163/167 and then connecting overland to the Conant Road into Easton, Maine is the top transportation priority for the city of Presque Isle. An easterly north and south ‘by-pass,’ as currently being considered and debated within the larger region, should be opposed by the city of Presque Isle because of potential negative impacts on growth and development.”
    As an alternative, the Planning Board is recommending “the design and construction of a westerly by-pass running north and south connecting to the Skyway Industrial Park and the Parsons Street ‘Heavy Truck’ Connector route to U.S. Rt. 1. Such a westerly By-pass could parallel the B&A rail line and thereby reduce impacts to a reasonable level.”
    Presque Isle citizens who would prefer to see the comprehensive plan remain worded exactly as I’ve shared here should consider attending a Planning Board workshop Thursday, November 8th at 7 pm, a regular planning board meeting November 15th at 7 pm, and a City Council Meeting November 19th at 6 pm. All meetings are on the third floor of City Hall and open to the public.