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Planning board backs purchase of 1.44-acre wedge at 9 Foss Road for Jordan Road bypass
Summary
The Lewiston Planning Board voted to recommend that the city acquire a 1.44-acre triangular parcel at 9 Foss Road (owned by Pathway Vineyard Church) to allow construction of a new bypass road around the deteriorating Jordan Road bridge. The motion passed unanimously after staff said buying the parcel and constructing a bypass is more cost‑effective than replacing the bridge.
The Lewiston Planning Board voted July 27 to send a favorable recommendation to city council for the acquisition of a 1.44‑acre portion of 9 Foss Road so the city can build a bypass road around the Jordan Road bridge. Planning staff said the bridge’s abutments are eroding and that a bypass is substantially more cost‑effective than full bridge replacement.
City engineer Jeff Boley described a multiyear review and negotiations with the landowner, Pathway Vineyard Church, and staff said the parcel has an assessed value of $27,000 and a negotiated purchase price of $35,000. Boley told the board the bridge’s abutments are in “rough shape” and that repairs to the existing structure were judged not worth the expected cost. "It turned out that that was not going to be, worth our money to to put much money into that abutment," Boley said.
Board member Lucy Bisson moved to recommend the acquisition “pursuant to article 7 section h of the zoning and land use code,” and Darren Gallant seconded. The board called roll and recorded a unanimous vote in favor. Chair Shanna Cox thanked Public Works and staff for negotiating with the church and said the board judged the acquisition a reasonable use of capital funds for public safety and efficiency.
Staff said funding would come from capital improvement plan allocations set aside for the Jordan Road bridge work in FY23 and subsequent CIP funds; board members asked clarifying questions about project cost estimates and remaining fund balances. The motion passed on a voice/roll-call vote and the board will forward its recommendation to the city council for final action.
