New Turnpike Plaza Likely to Open By Late ’08

By BETTY ADAMS Blethen Maine News Service —

A new service superplaza, designed as a rest stop and service center for travelers on the Maine Turnpike and Interstate 295, is expected to be open by this time next year.

The $13.5 million project has all the required permits and is in the contracting stage.

Possible tenants for the plaza include Starbucks, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Burger King, Hershey’s Ice Cream and a Z Market convenience store. A contract for installation of water and sewer lines and road improvements to Route 126 was awarded to BridgeCorp of Lewiston, which was the low bidder at $3.48 million.

Bidding remains open on two phases of the project: wetlands mitigation of about 27 acres along I-295, and construction of the plaza itself. Those bids are to be opened next week.

The Army Corps of Engineers issued a site permit for the project Oct. 22. Last week, Maine’s Public Utilities Commission approved construction of the water and sewer lines to serve only the facility and other Department of Transportation uses.

Scott Warchol, project manager with the Maine Turnpike Authority, said a preconstruction meeting with BridgeCorp is set for this week. He said some work is to be done immediately to move power lines. Construction will start in earnest in February, he said.

In August, the Maine Turnpike Authority acquired a 28-acre former truck stop at the site by eminent domain from the Kathrena J. Franks & Dewayne Franks Trust.

Warchol said the authority appraised the property and offered a price approved by the state, but the Frankses rejected it, so the property was condemned. The sale price is being appealed, Maine Turnpike Authority spokesman Dan Paradee said.

When the service center opens in November 2008, turnpike service plazas in Litchfield and Lewiston will be closed.

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