Post by Logan on Apr 22, 2016 20:56:52 GMT -6
The Democratic co-chair of the state’s Transportation Committee said Friday he was not surprised to learn that the Route 1 viaduct in Bath had not been fixed despite recent inspection reports indicating repairs were needed.
Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, said Maine has roughly 2,800 bridges and there is not nearly enough funding to address immediate transportation infrastructure needs.
“It doesn’t surprise me when something falls through the cracks,” McLean said. “In a sense, we’re playing with fire.”
The Portland Press Herald reported this week that the Maine Department of Transportation failed to repair guardrails on the 58-year-old Bath viaduct even after its own inspections called for repairs. The newspaper had questioned the viaduct’s viability after an SUV plunged off the span in early April and injured the driver, Melissa Medina, 37, and her 12-year-old son. Medina’s vehicle landed in the bed of a pickup truck below, likely cushioning the impact and perhaps saving their lives.
Read more: www.pressherald.com/2016/04/22/bath-viaduct-safety-concerns-are-no-surprise-lawmaker-says-a-lack-of-funding-delays-maintenance-on-bridges-and-roads-throughout-the-state-says-rep-andrew-mclean-d-gorham-co-chair-of-the-transpo/
Rep. Andrew McLean, D-Gorham, said Maine has roughly 2,800 bridges and there is not nearly enough funding to address immediate transportation infrastructure needs.
“It doesn’t surprise me when something falls through the cracks,” McLean said. “In a sense, we’re playing with fire.”
The Portland Press Herald reported this week that the Maine Department of Transportation failed to repair guardrails on the 58-year-old Bath viaduct even after its own inspections called for repairs. The newspaper had questioned the viaduct’s viability after an SUV plunged off the span in early April and injured the driver, Melissa Medina, 37, and her 12-year-old son. Medina’s vehicle landed in the bed of a pickup truck below, likely cushioning the impact and perhaps saving their lives.
Read more: www.pressherald.com/2016/04/22/bath-viaduct-safety-concerns-are-no-surprise-lawmaker-says-a-lack-of-funding-delays-maintenance-on-bridges-and-roads-throughout-the-state-says-rep-andrew-mclean-d-gorham-co-chair-of-the-transpo/