Public Forum to be Held Regarding Proposed Bridge
August 27, 2008
The Whistle Stop Trail Coalition invites all community members to a public forum to share ideas and discuss options to fund the building of a multi-use bridge over the Sandy River in Farmington. The proposed bridge would allow walkers, runners, bikers, cross country skiers, snowmobiles and horseback riders to access the downtown Farmington area from the 14.5 miles of rail trail that extends from Jay to West Farmington.
The forum will take place at the Granary on Thursday, September 11 at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. An RSVP is helpful but not necessary. Bring a friend and tell others. Snowmobile clubs and others are encouraged to invite their members.
"Community support, networking, and the sharing of ideas are vital to the success of this project," said Sandy Richard of the Healthy Community Coalition. "There will be a review of the bridge project, including the engineering study and an overview of funding opportunities. Community input and ideas are needed to move this to the next step."
For more information about this project or to find out how you can help contact: Richard at the Healthy Community Coalition at 645-3136, ext. 5116; or Richard Davis, Farmington Town Manager at 778-6538; or Buzz Davis at 778-4275.
The Whistlestop Trail Coalition is an advisory group to the Maine Department of Conservation (MDOC). Its work includes all issues surrounding the existing trail that travels 14.5 miles from West Farmington, passing by Titcomb Mountain ski area, then behind Hannaford, Family Fare Restaurant, Wal-Mart, and Franklin Memorial Hospital. The trail continues through Wilton, across the bridge behind Shelly's Hometown Market in East Wilton, through Dryden, across Route 4 near Rick's Market, then into North Jay and Jay behind Hannaford. It ends by Route 4 near LaFleur's and the old train depot building in Jay.
The Rail Road bed was purchased by the MDOC in 1999. The tracks were removed prior to MDOC taking ownership and a multi-use trail has been in existence for over 25 years.
For more information or if you are interested in joining the rail trail coalition, contact David Rodrigues, MDOC Bureau of Parks and Lands at 207-287-5574 or david.rodrigues@maine.gov.
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