Route 2 Gilead to Bethel _ major Construction

[peakbagger]

A FYI for folks who usually use Rt 2 in Maine from Gilead to Bethel, the next pahse of the major road reconstruction has started. It will be great when its over but for the next year or so, plan on major delays. There arent a lot of east west options north of the national forest except for RT 2. Note, if you are driving east from NH to Rt 113, you are west of the construction.

One option to avoid the repairs is the North Road on the north side of the river. To access it from the west (bethel end), turn right off of Rt 2 just before the bridge over the Androscoggin at the "Big Adventure Area" in Bethel. Its a paved rural road with some slow speed limits in spots. Take it all the way to the Gilead bridge. To get back on Rt 2 (past the construction sites), cross the bridge and in about a half mile take a right onto Rt 2, just up the road from the north end of Rt 113. For people drving East, look for an Androscoggin Canoe trail sign on the left in Gilead

 

[Quietman]

Thanks for the heads up. I will be heading through on my way to the cabin outside of Locke Mills over Columbus day. Do you know if construction will continue through the winter? It would make getting to the ski areas more difficult!

 

[Breeze]

Thanks for the heads up. I will be heading through on my way to the cabin outside of Locke Mills over Columbus day. Do you know if construction will continue through the winter? It would make getting to the ski areas more difficult!

I live at the Pleasant River Bridge end of this construction project, and commute to Pinkham Notch. So far, the longest delay I've experienced traveling west towards Gorham has been 6 minutes. Not so bad, even though it seems endless just sitting there, waiting. The flaggers are doing a pretty good job of keeping traffic from backing way up in either direction.

They are working Monday thru Friday 6:30 AM to 5. On my return commute ( 5:30 pm) they are done and gone, road clear in both directions.

Right now the biggest activity is clearing trees. Route 2 is kept to one travel lane to allow skidders hauling trees and logs access to the chipper/logyard.

Winter activities MAY involve blasting, but K&K Excavation isn't totally sure yet how they will approach the blasting due to the instability of the ledges on the south side of the road. TBA. I'm not looking forward to that as the North Road is not really a viable winter commuting option, it adds an extra 30 minutes driving time for me due to the backtrack.

In a nutshell, Route 2 cannot be closed for construction, its just going to be a PITA. Anticipated completion of the 2 mile project is October 2009 (!!!!!)

If one is traveling from southern NH, you can weigh the PITA factor of 16 to 302 ( Conway) to 5 ( Fryeburg) to Bethel.

Breeze

 

[Mad Townie]

Thanks, Peakbagger and Breeze. That's my route to the northern Prezzies!

 

[Breeze]

New Advisory today

From the Portland Press Herald today 10/18/07

"Work is under way in the vicinity of the Pleasant River Bridge and extends two miles west of the bridge. Construction work will take place from 7:00 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekdays through the fall and into the winter.

Delays of 15 minutes are possible now, but they may be longer when blasting starts later this month. At that time, motorists may want to seek alternate routes. Truck traffic may use Routes 5, 302 and 16. Other motorists may use the North Road. "

I'm SO not looking forward to this! (I added the bold text)

Breeze

Edited to add:

news from the Bethel Citizen today could put a damper on using the North Road as a detour.

Read here


Looks like tough times in the Gorham NH / Bethel corridor.

LOLOL "Cahn't get theya frum heah" may be more truth than humor.

B

 

[peakbagger]

Heads up, the road construction on Rt 2 in Gilead has doubled in size starting about 1/2 mile west of the Wild River and continuing all the way to East Bethel. I took me an extra 20 minutes the other day with three one way traffic stops. The bridge over the wild river is being replaced with a new one with entirely new approaches (the fisherman on this stretch of river are not going to be happy) and the stretch between Gilead and the bog brook training area that was moderately unmolested is going in for major reconstruction plus the work on the ledges is ongoing. Its going to be great when its done, but in the meantime look for alternatives.

The alternate route on the north side of the river is still somewhat viable, although there is a gravel pit near the Maine line, so there are a lot of gravel trucks on part of this stretch. If someone is heading east on RT 2 and wants to avoid the traffic, take the Meadow Road in Shelburne NH, cross the river and take a right on North Road (follow the Philbrook farm Inn signs). This road eventually comes out in Bethel just north of the RT 2 bridge (across from a campground and next the the Big Adventure area). Watch the speed limit along this road.

 

[Stan]

The next person who posts a road closing is gonna get a red square, dammit When in doubt, shoot the messenger.

It's beginning to look like you can't get there from here.

Well, at least it's an alibi on the way home.

P.S. just kidding about the red square ...

 

[Quietman]

I took the north road today to avoid the construction and was surprised that I saw only 2 or 3 other cars the whole way. Definately saved time and wear and tear on my overloaded van!

 

[hikes-with-him]

YIKES!!

I'm so glad it's usually 5:00 am or earlier when we go through this are to do hiking in the Whites!!

Yet another great reason to get up very early on hiking days.