Test Blast Considered a Success; Second Blast Possible Thursday Afternoon Eight weeks in we’re becoming accustomed to the sights and sounds of construction in our central downtown. On Wednesday there were quite a few more reflective vests on hand, here to conduct and evaluate a test blast in Printer’s Alley, the first of several needed to excavate the bare bones of a new drainage system out of the bedrock running perpendicular to Main Street. This was an important next step,

Test Blast Confirmed for 1 PM Wednesday; No Impact for Most Just a brief note to confirm that Maine Drilling & Blasting will conduct a test blast in Printer’s Alley on Wednesday. The test is scheduled for 1 PM. As a reminder, the purpose of this test blast is to level the working area in Printer’s Alley while testing the bedrock that must be removed to construct the new drainage system. For most the test blast will pass unnoticed tomorrow. Those who are most directly affect

Test Blast Scheduled for Weds; Here’s What to Expect I hope everyone enjoyed the Memorial Day Weekend and the official start to Summer 2018. Now it’s back to work! As I mentioned in Friday’s update, Maine Drilling & Blasting expects to conduct a test blast in Printer’s Alley this coming Wednesday, May 30. Most likely it will take place in the afternoon. The purpose of this test blast is to level the working area in Printer’s Alley while testing the bedrock that must be remov

Wrapping up May, Looking at June Lots to communicate today, including: a decision on the ACTR bus stops downtown, your opportunity to join the discussion about the new rail platform and the future of Triangle Park and Printer’s Alley, and an update on Carol’s. So let’s get right to it. This week Maine Drilling & Blasting completed drilling the 130 “relief holes,” each of which is 38-feet deep, around the perimeter of the launch pit that will serve as the centerpiece of the

Steady Progress Downtown It’s been four weeks now since work began in earnest downtown. Enough time, I think, to pass on some preliminary observations about how things are going. For starters, the detailed plan that was developed and vetted over the past many months is providing clear direction on what needs to take place. We had a minor setback with equipment last week but the overall story has been steady progress, day in and day out. Things are getting done according to

Printer’s Alley, Parking, Public Meetings It was a good week for weather and a good start to the next phase in building the new drainage system in central downtown. Today’s update also features information on how you can contribute ideas to 1) where we locate our rail station platform for Amtrak service and 2) what Triangle Park and Printer’s Alley will look like after the project is complete. And I’ll introduce you to the new town employee who will be responsible for enforc

X Marks the Spot Construction work can be noisy, disruptive, and dusty. But how interesting this week to watch the gradual excavation of that short stretch of Main Street that sits alongside the rail corridor next to the Duclos Building. Today ECI is expected to complete the work it began a week ago to prepare the area we call Printer’s Alley for construction of the new drainage system that will serve the central downtown. That work has involved clearing concrete, soil, and