By Dominik Lobkowicz
When this section of East Pond Road is flooded, northbound vehicles can be forced to make a choice between driving in the oncoming lane around this curve or heading into the flooded area to avoid a collision. (D. Lobkowicz photo) |
Road flooding on East Pond Road in Nobleboro may just be the result of a blocked culvert, as a Department of Transportation official believes, but the town’s selectmen are looking for a longer-term solution.
The area in question, a low-lying area a short distance north of the road’s intersection with Route 1, is a known trouble spot for flooding after rain storms, but selectmen in town believe flood waters in recent weeks have been hanging around longer than normal.
“We don’t even take the flags down anymore. Half the road has been flooded now for two weeks. Maybe three,” Selectman Al Lewis said at the board’s July 30 meeting. “This has gone on long enough. It’s a state road.”
Mike Burns, the Region 2 manager for DOT, told The Lincoln County News the department is aware that section of East Pond Road has flooding issues.
“It’s a really flat area through there, and the inside of the curve – that’s lower than the outside – gets water on it quite routinely and it certainly does take a while for the water to go down, where [the area] is flat,” said Burns. “We know to look at that area when we get a good rain, and put warning devices for the public.”
Burns believes the reason for the long drainage time recently could be a plugged culvert.
“We’ve always had some puddling in the road after good-sized rain events,” Burns said. “It might have taken a few days; now it’s taking a few weeks to go down. Soon we’re going to go try to find that culvert. We think it must be plugged.”
The selectmen plan to send a letter outlining their concerns over the area in question to DOT Commissioner David Bernhardt and copies of it to Rep. Ellen Winchenbach and Sen. Chris Johnson.
Selectman Bud Lewis said being persistent with the DOT over the issue will help move it up their priority list.
“Everybody knows what needs to be done. Everybody knows the road needs to be raised,” Al Lewis said. “Putting signs out or sending someone down once in a while just doesn’t cut it for me.”
