A few days ago in Camden, I attended one of the public contact sessions conducted by the Megunticook River Citizens Advisory Committee, to inform the public about options to remove obstructive dams and restore the river for fish passage. The committee has done some great work and the presentation was very informative. 

One piece of information that was not discussed, however, was how the Maine Dept. of Transportation's planned replacement of the bridge that spans Route 1 would mesh with the overall river restoration plan?

While the integrity of the Montgomery Dam is often a point of discussion, the question of the structural integrity of the foundations of buildings near the Route 1 bridge should be just as important in any calculus.

I have seen numerous photographs of what lies beneath that section of Route 1 and it is not a pretty picture.

In addition to an aging culvert that needs immediate attention , there are hanging utility conduits, exposed wiring, corroding concrete piers and spindly wood support structures throughout.

From a layman’s perspective it doesn’t look very safe.

I do hope that the Camden Select Board has engaged a professional engineer to evaluate the existing conditions of these structures? Doing so would ensure the safety of the people who visit these buildings and the businesses that occupy them.

James Rossi lives in Lincolnville