HOULTON, Maine — One of the town’s more dangerous curved roads may be getting a facelift sometime in the next four years.
According to Town Manager Eugene Conlogue, the Maine Department of Transportation is looking at replacing the bridge located on Green Street.
Should the MDOT decide to replace the crossing, the town would like to alter Green Street, to eliminate what is perceived to be a “dangerous curve.”
To facilitate the project, Conlogue asked the council to retain a piece of tax-acquired property located at 11 Green St., so that the road could be extended somewhat to create a more gradual turn.
“There is a house right there on the corner and the idea is to not sell that house at this point,” Conlogue said. “We would like to have a more gradual ‘S’ shape in there as opposed to two 90-degree turns.”
The property was advertised for sale by the town, with three individuals placing bids on the building. The highest bid was $5,500.
“We are holding onto property that could generate some revenue, but in the long term, if that bridge is going to be replaced, it would behoove us to hold on to that property. If we do nothing with the bridge, we can always sell the property.”
Council chairman Paul Cleary said the longer the town hold on to the property, and leaves it vacant, the amount of money the town can expect to sell it for diminishes.
“It may become a building that we have to tear down because it’s a hazard,” he said.
Councilors unanimously voted at their March 25 meeting to keep the property for the time being.
