CAPE ELIZABETH — Construction crews have made steady, early progress on the coastal Shore Road pathway since starting work in mid-June.
“Everything’s on schedule,” L.P. Murray & Sons President, Leland “Skip” Murray, said. “We’re very happy with the progress. We’ll see if the weather holds up.”
Crews are clearing the pathway and laying down the base materials in preparation for asphalt paving, which should be complete by mid-September, Public Works Director Roberty Malley said.
The 2.2-mile pathway will extend along Shore Road from Fort Williams Park to the intersection with Ocean House Road (Route 77).
Construction has slowed traffic and caused portions of the road to be reduced to one lane. Walkers, runners and bicyclists must share the narrow road with cars, making for a tight squeeze in some areas.
“It’s a challenge for bicyclists and pedestrians right now,” Malley said. “Once it’s all done, it will be a whole lot safer at the end of the day. It will make it easier for motorists as well.”
Jogger Kirk Bradley of Chapel Hill, N.C., visiting Cape Elizabeth friends Bill and Marie Wood, said the path will create a safer environment.
“It’s very dangerous right now,” Bradley said. “It’s going to be nice for multi-mobile people to have a path that’s a little safer.”
The more than $800,000, 5-foot-wide asphalt path was approved by the Town Council in 2010; construction began in early June. The lion’s share of the funding, $729,000, comes from a grant from the Maine Department of Transportation; the remainder was raised privately.
In early August, construction will be temporarily halted to prepare for the annual TD Bank Beach to Beacon 10k road race.
Under the town’s contract with L.P. Murray & Sons, the project is expected to be completed within three to four months.
Will Graff can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 123 or wgraff@theforecaster.net. Follow Will on Twitter: @W_C_Graff.
Sidebar Elements
Cape Elizabeth’s Shore Road pathway construction is on schedule to be completed by the end of September.
Workers topple a tree this week to make way for the Shore Road pathway in Cape Elizabeth.
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