KELT OFFERS CROSS COUNTRY SKI OUTING IN WOOLWICH

Join experienced Nordic skiers at Merrymeeting Fields Preserve for skiing tips and fun
Woolwich, Maine - Cross-country skiing is great ways to explore the outdoors in winter. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT) invites the public on Saturday, January 25 to join local knowledgeable Nordic skiers at Merrymeeting Preserve in Woolwich. Skiing starts at 1:00 pm and includes instruction, hot cocoa, and adventure!

Chuck Mainville, who runs a Nordic ski program for area families, will be on hand to lead cross country skiers throughout the 125 acre preserve. Gentle slopes and a variety of trail lengths make the preserve a perfect spot to learn and to improve cross country ski skills.

Families, children, and novice to experienced skiers are welcome. To register for the event, please contact Becky Kolak at 442-8400 or bkolak@kennebecestuary.org by Wednesday, January 22.

There is a limited supply of Nordic equipment to loan for children and adults- not all fits are available. Please include at registration if ski equipment is needed.

The ski and hiking trails at Merrymeeting Fields Preserve are open for public use from dawn until dusk. Please refrain from walking on the ski tracks. Visit www.kennebecestuary.org for a map of the property. To reach the preserve take 127 at the Cumberland Farms on U.S. 1 in Woolwich, follow it to 128 and then take 128 4.9 miles to Chops Point Road on the left.  The preserve is on the right about a mile down Chops Point Road.

The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is a membership supported organization dedicated to protecting the land, water and wildlife of the Kennebec Estuary.  It maintains nine preserves for public enjoyment and has protected 2,370 acres of land since founding in 1989. FMI contact www.kennebecestuary.org or call (207) 442-8400.

Route 128 in Woolwich Set to Open Friday

Woolwich, Maine - Crews from Wyman and Simpson, Inc. of Richmond and MaineDOT will be re- opening Route 128 in Woolwich after noontime on Friday, November 15th.

This $494,000 project, which started in early August of this year, included replacing an old box culvert with a new one, widening that section of roadway, the building of a retaining wall as well as guardrail replacements.

Motorists will be alerted of the opening with message boards and signage in the early afternoon of Friday, November 15th.

Woolwich Bridge Rehabilitation Begins This Month

Woolwich, Maine - MaineDOT is rehabilitating the Station 46 Bridge that spans the Mane Eastern Rail tracks in Woolwich starting this month. While this effort will continue until mid-August, traffic impacts will end by mid-June when crews start repairing the underside of the bridge. Though most of the work will take place during the day, two 10 ft. 6 inch lanes of traffic will be maintained at all times. Wide loads will be prohibited while construction is under way.

The contract for this bridge rehabilitation has been awarded to Wyman and Simpson, Inc. of Richmond for $1.17 million.

Additionally, Wyman and Simpson will be rehabilitating the Donald E. Davey Bridge that spans the Sheepscot River between Edgecomb and Wiscasset. Work to replace the bridge wearing surface and joints will begin in April with an anticipated completion time of mid-June. There will be two 11 ft. 6 inch lanes of traffic from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and one lane of alternating traffic between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work may occur both day and night, but no work will be allowed on Sundays between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Wide loads may be restricted.

We know this essential structural work may be inconvenient for motorists, so please allow extra time or seek alternate routes.

MaineDOT has created up a website for additional information for both of these projects. There you will find a map and traffic cams displaying current conditions on Route 1 in Wiscasset and Edgecomb.

http://www.maine.gov/mdot/wtis/map/index.php