Speaking of "improvements"

[OldsnowboarderME]

:roll:

 

[wa-loaf]

I imagine Saddleback would benefit most from a highway. I'm torn on the issue. Since I don't live in Maine anymore it would be nice to get up there easier, but I'd also hate to see the new crowds. What exactly is the route being proposed?

 

[wa-loaf]

There has been serious talk of a northern highway. I think they basicly want to replace/upgrade RT2 with an interstate that runs from Bangor to Burlington.

Edit:
Ok, so I didn't want to talk out of my butt here so I did a quick google search and found this:
http://www.bostonroads.com/roads/I-92/ It seems the idea is a relic of the 50's. It gets brought up every few years. Personaly I'd like to see it.

 

[ctenidae]

To get an interstate built, you need federal funds, and I don't think anyone considers the Canadians to be a serious strategic military risk.

Would be nice, though. A highway, I mean, not invading Canada.

 

[Birdman829]

I wouldn't like it. The Loaf is already only 2 hours from the Portland area. 27 from Augusta to Sugarloaf really isn't that bad a road to drive if the weather's decent. I'm happy the way it is. In the big scheme of things, what do I care if it only takes me 2.5 hours instead of 3.5 on a friday night?

 

[David Metsky]

Lordy, why would you want a highway up there? It's fine the way it is, no need to turn everything in New England into an offramp.

 

[tekweezle]

the businesses in the area would want whatever improvements could be had. I guess that includes the ski resorts.

 

[knuckledragger]

Lordy, why would you want a highway up there? It's fine the way it is, no need to turn everything in New England into an offramp.
Because some of use would like to be able to continue to afford to live up here. Economic viability should not be held to southern New England.

 

[MESki]

I hear you, but I don't really see it happening--and as much as I might enjoy getting to the mountains faster, I'm not sure the result would actually be all that great in the long term. Even for Mainers, the Loaf is basically a destination resort. I'm not sure how many more day trippers it'd gain if the drive time went down 30 minutes or so--especially if the drive time to Bethel went down by a similar factor. Then there's the issue of where the road would go: route 2 seems a likely candidate, but if you're going from Portland, that means going way out of your way for the Bethel area, which is why we have 26. And even that doesn't help all the people who are thronging their way up 302 toward Sebago.

The other problem is who would build such a road. I think an E-W interstate is about the only possibility--I don't see Mainers in their current mood paying for anything like that, though I could be wrong.

Matt

 

[snoseek]

maine needs a e/w highway bigtime. anything is an improvement over rt. 2. having spent a few years in western maine, i can honestly see this as a major step in promoting a healthy economy. plenty of room for development without spoiling that part of new england.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

I have to admit, the drive from the Boston area is a long one, and a wide open highway all the way to SR would be nice, but I think it could definitely ruin the aesthetics and ambiance of the area.
Driving up/down rt 2 was a long drive (and not fun in heavy fog), but so nice to get there rather than just leaving a highway and landing at the resort. Ultimately, I think leaving it as is would be the best choice, even though it's a long drive on 2, it's worth it, to me anyhow. Also, how much of a draw is there to SR and beyond in the off season? Would the 4 lane highway be beneficial in May, or even August? I honestly don't know the answer to that, maybe that's preventing alot of people from visiting.

 

[Terry]

Christ we can't even afford to repair the piece of s%*t roads we have now. No way will the state spring for a new highway! I live on a state highway and in the spring you can [and some do] lose an oil pan on some of the frost heaves!! It is great business for us garages though. Plenty of spring, shock and suspension work.

 

[tekweezle]

forget about roads and highways, how about building an extensive rail system/bullet trains that go 200-400 mph and don;t cost an arm and a leg? could save the environment too!

I've often toyed with the idea of taking the train from Penn Station to Burlington to ski at Killington but concluded that it was just not cost effective enough to me.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

They just recently finished the "big widening" from the NH/ME border almost to Portland on I95. For several reasons building an interstate connecting those 3 places would never fly. Improving Rt 2 seems feasible. They also recently rebuilt the Gray exit off 495. The Rangely region is considered pretty pristine by Mainers but I bet the summer businesses up there might not mind.

When I was a kid people said there would never be an interstate thru the Dacs but when they built I87(the Northway) it didn't seem to mess things up too much, even won some national highway scenic awards if I remember. Just being to bypass Lake George Village in the summer was a godsend.

 

[riverc0il]

while i would love to have route 2 replaced with an interstate (man, that would be dreamy) from burlington to bangor, i really don't see any need to do so. nor do i see much need for an interstate up to the loaf region. that type of financial investment would never add up in increased revenue. the days of building interstates is long passed, it was a grand idea that transformed our entire society in more ways than the average person has even considered and in more ways than those of us that have considered it could think of. but it is done and for good reason, the road system in place today is for the most part excellent and serves the purpose of the public.

to those that want an interstate to the loaf, how much are you willing to pay for it? because the cost would be significant and it would come out of your pocket. i wouldn't want to pay a red cent towards such a pointless construction. what other point would it serve besides getting skiers and vacationers to a "destination" resort quicker? i put destination in quotes because i doubt easier access would make for many more visits... even with a 30 minute reduction in travel, it is still not a day trip location.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

... even with a 30 minute reduction in travel, it is still not a day trip location.

It depends on who you ask :lol: :lol:

Back when I was still in the trucking business, there was much talk about the need for such a route (E/W in Northern New England). The largest segment pushing for it was forrest products and petroleum/LP gas. It's tough getting products to and from the Maritime provinces as well and northern Maine (I guess we should also mention potatoes. McCain's would love this road, alone with Sunbury, Irving, etc..)

Looking at that I-92 page, the Southern route they mentioned was a very hot topic of local politics in SoNH when I was a kid. It was very divisive. The orginial proposal was to follow 9 in VT then 101 in NH. Later this was changed to following 9. This created so much opposition, hardly anything has been done to 101 (other than the Milford bypass in 30+ years. 9 has had a couple of projects (Munsonville bypass and more recently, the Hillsboro bypass.)

I doubt we'll see any of these projects in our lifetimes, but that's just my opinion.