By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Future MDOT repairs to approximately 3.27 miles of Route 161 will be discussed tonight during a preliminary Public Meeting in the Council Chamber of the Caribou City Office.
The potential repair project is still in the preliminary stages of development and MDOT officials are hosting the meeting to ensure that all transportational needs are addressed before the department proceeds with designing the potential road repair project.
The 3.27 miles slated for repair begin on the easterly abutment of the Aroostook River Bridge and end just under a mile from the Caribou/Fort Fairfield boarder.
During the meeting, MDOT officials are hoping to answer questions and receive insight from the community on the future project.
According to the MDOT Public Meeting notice, (which can be found at http://www.maine.gov/ mdot/publicmeetings/index.htm) the scope of the potential project would provide for improvements to the existing highway — including reconstruction of existing drainage facilities, improved roadway structure and new pavement placed on travel way and shoulders. Development would also include right-of-way easements or grading rights, permits and utility relocations.
Currently, the repair project is in the developmental phase and when design is complete the project will be subject to review by MDOT officials to determine when the project will receive construction funding, as explained by Jon Bither, Project Manager of the Northern Region Highway Program.
Tonight’s meeting will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Anyone with interested is invited to attend and participate in the meeting.
