Capital Project Updates

TOWN PUBLIC WORKS PROJECT UPDATE

October 6, 2023

With the 2023 construction season expected to end in mid-November, Orono’s Public Works team is diligently working to wind down its construction projects. The following summarizes the FY 2023-2024 capital plan progress and goals through the end of this season:

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

  • COMPLETED PROJECTS

    • Maxfield Drive - Drainage, Curb, and Roadway Improvements

    • University Place - Surface Pavement

    • Mahaney Neighborhood - Drainage, Sanitary Sewer Main, and Roadway Improvements

    • Chapel Road & College Heights - Drainage, Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure (portion), and Roadway Improvements

  • CONSTRUCTION OR PAVING IN PROGRESS FOR 2023 SEASON

    • Grove Street - Surface pavement planned in October 

    • Pierce Street - Surface pavement planned in October

    • Peters Street, Pond Street, and Hillside Road- Shim planned to even surface in October with surface planned for 2024. This scope includes extending the sidewalk on North Main Avenue to connect to Penobscot Street.

    • Westwood Drive - Pavement delayed due to compaction and erosion issues this spring/summer that have been addressed, but need time to settle.  Shim to even surface planned in October with drainage work and surface pavement (provided there are no settling issues) planned for 2024. 

    • Forest Avenue Traffic Calming Measures - This includes construction of speed tables and installation of crosswalks on Forest Avenue aimed at slowing down vehicular traffic and improving pedestrian safety.  The final construction plan will be posted online for the public to view once finalized.  It is likely that installation of the rapid flashing beacon will be delayed until 2024.

    • Setting Poles on Town property to extend the Stillwater Trail of Lights

  • IN DESIGN FOR 2024 CONSTRUCTION SEASON

    • Charles Street - Drainage and Roadway Improvements

    • Beech Street - Drainage and Roadway Improvements

    • Colburn Drive - Roadway Improvements and Lighting Project

    • Forest Avenue - Sidewalk Extension

    • Webster Neighborhood Utility Improvements - Details for a sanitary sewer and drainage project on Peters Street, Pond Street, and Hillside Road are currently in the planning stage with the Town Engineer. The Town’s goal is to develop plans and specifications for the project this fall and early winter, put the project out to competitive bidding in early spring, with the intent of bringing a contractor onboard to complete the work. With this in mind, it is unclear at this point if final paving, curbs, and sidewalks will be able to be completed during the 2024 construction season. That would be our goal, however this portion of the scope is very dependent upon the timing of the completion of the utility work. Staff will post information about the schedule for the utility project and the final stages of the paving projects in the spring/summer of 2024.

  • LARGE PROJECTS UNDERWAY IN PLANNING

    • Stillwater Avenue Pedestrian Improvements Project (w/Maine Department of Transportation)

    • Planning Partnership Initiative for Improvements to the Route 2 Corridor from Kelley Road to the Old Town town line (w/Maine Department of Transportation)

FACILITIES

  • COMPLETED

    • Gould’s Landing Dock

  • IN PROGRESS

    • Birch Street (Senior Center & Library) Parking Lot - Expected to be complete this year

    • Keith Anderson Community House Exterior Paint & Fire Alarm Panel Replacement - Expected to be complete this year

    • Municipal Pool Gutter Replacement - The new gutter has been installed and the crew is hard at work preparing for final concrete work and reinstallation of the liner.  They will work as long as they can on this project and winterize the project with a plan to complete it in the spring.

    • Public Safety Building Facility Assessment - Presentation of assessment findings and recommendations presented to the Town Council Finance and Operations Committee late-November/December 2023.

  • PLANNED FOR 2024

    • Community Playground Improvements

    • Senior Center Access  Ramp