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County signs right-of-entry for Copengore study; commissioners press DOT on Route 27 safety
Summary
Franklin County signed a right-of-entry to allow surveys for the Copengore/Sandy River watershed project and commissioners asked staff to press the Maine DOT for passing lanes and safety upgrades on Route 27, citing truck volumes and winter hazards.
County commissioners confirmed they signed a right-of-entry agreement on May 7 authorizing site surveys for the Copengore/Sandy River study and discussed potential traffic and safety impacts on Route 27 that may follow improvements at the nearby border crossing.
Commissioners said the right-of-entry allows topographical, environmental and soil sampling necessary for the study. Several commissioners expressed skepticism about state DOT traffic characterizations: a county official said DOT reported an average of 160 trucks per day on Route 27, but commissioners argued that number does not capture hourly peaks, winter conditions or the practical effects of heavier flows once the border crossing is improved. They discussed pursuing passing lanes, turnouts and other safety improvements and agreed the next step should be to meet with regional DOT staff and, if appropriate, the state transportation commissioner after the election.
Next steps: staff were asked to gather data with regional DOT staff, pursue targeted road improvements (passing lanes and turnouts) where justified, and coordinate any CDS or grant applications through DOT review processes.
