| February 12, 2008 Potholes cause uproar in Lincolnville, Maine
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(NECN) – Residents of Lincolnville, Maine are waging what could be called a mini-revolution against the state. At issue: the state's failure to repair two aging state roads that run through their mid-coast town.
When one drives into Lincolnville, the posted speed limit is 40 miles per hour, but locals say motorists would be crazy to drive that fast.
Between the frost heaves, pot holes, ice and snow, parts of routes 52 and 235 are beyond bumpy – they are treacherous. While some people simply poke fun at the problem with bumper stickers and signs renaming the road “Wagon Trail,” Andy Young has had enough.
Young started collecting signatures. The petition asks that the town cease all payments to the state until the state fixes the roads as determined by the Road Commissioner. Hundreds of Lincolnville’s 2,000 residents have signed on to the revolutionary document, including the town’s fire chief.
The town’s manager however says withholding payment for want of new pavement is a risky proposition. Dave Kinney says the town receives more than $1.3 million from the state. If it is tit for tat the town will be on the short end of the stick. Still, Kinney applauds the local citizenry’s activism because he has heard from the Department of Transportation about plans for repair.
Maine’s Department of Transportation is pledging $1.4 million for Routes 52 and 235 but Young fears it will be too little too late. He says they will keep
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