MARS Hill, Maine — The town of Mars Hill is gearing up for roadwork on Route 1 this summer with a project that includes the replacement of a drainage system that hasn’t been updated in more than half a century.
The $5 million project spans 1.6 miles from south of Bubar Road to the intersection of Route 1 and Route 1A, said Deryle Sponberg, senior resident consultant with the Maine Department of Transportation.
Sponberg said the project has several components, including replacement of drainage systems on both sides of the road, new catch basins and new sidewalk curbs in some areas downtown.
“This section of Route 1 has not had drainage updates since the 1950s,” Sponberg said.
“We want to bring the drainage up to new safety standards.”
The construction project will take until 2019 to complete, though much of the work replacing the base of the road will be done this summer, he said. Next year, crews will finish the landscaping along the drainage systems and sidewalk pavement.
During the replacement of the base this summer, drivers will be directed in alternating one-way traffic.
“Any time we do an operation on Route 1 there will be alternating one-way traffic,” Sponberg said. “It should mean a three-to-five minute delay for drivers. Be patient coming through the construction area.”
