Staff Writer

Plans are nearly complete for infrastructure improvements to address periodic flooding problems on West Grand Avenue in Old Orchard Beach.

Voters in 2008 approved a $1.85 million bond to address issues that arise from flooding along the road. Wright-Pierce Engineering  is nearly done with preliminary design drawings and the bidding process should begin this spring. Construction is  expected to begin this summer when groundwater levels are lowest.

Ryan Wingard, Steve Guerrette and John Edgerton of Wright-Pierce presented plans to the town council during a Feb. 9 workshop.

The project will focus on creating and maintaining a safe and dry evacuation route during a 100-year flood. The existing evacuation route uses the portion of West Grand from Pavia Avenue to New Salt Road that frequently is covered with water during less significant flooding. 

Wingard said the emergency evacuation route will be rerouted to Seaside Avenue because it has a higher elevation than West Grand Avenue. The change necessitates new signs and pavement improvements at several intersections, he said.

The project will replace storm drains, catch basins and manholes to catch more water as it runs off roads during storms, Wingard said.

“It won’t solve the flooding in the area, but it will allow rain to get to low areas until the tide goes out,” he said.

Councilor Michael Tousignant said he wants to make sure changes along West Grand Avenue don’t create problems for property owners. He said it is important the project not create new pockets of water. Councilor Robin Dayton expressed concern about using public money to make improvement on private property, though the project is mainly on the public right of way.

“If in some places where you’re going to raise the road six inches, you should follow through on the property. I think it would be in the scope of the bond,” Tousignant said.

“If we’re using public funds on private property, that’s a problem,” Dayton said.

Much of the workshop focused on the tide gate, which prevents excessive tidal water from entering marshes near West Grand Avenue during extreme tidal elevations.

Town Manager Jack Turcotte said the town is working closely with the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a protocol for when the gate should be opened and closed. The town will follow the plan as approved by the DEP, he said.

Wingard said the project proposal calls for closing the gate when the tide reaches 9 feet. When rain is expected to exceed 2 inches, the tide gate would be operated in storm mode and closed sooner.

“That allows us some additional storage capacity in the marsh,” he said.

The DEP has requested more information about the range of salinity in the area to strike a balance between the need to mitigate flooding and potentially degrading marsh habitat. Wingard said rain gauges will be placed in the area for about two months this spring to gather more data.

Resident John Bird said he disagrees with the 9-foot standard to close the tide gate. He said the marsh system could be damaged by lack of salt water if tide gates are closed too soon.

While Turcotte said construction could begin this summer, Tousignant was doubtful  permits could be in place by then.

“That’s an extremely congested area in the summertime,” he said. “There are many days it is difficult to get down there.”

Dayton said the town should heavily advertise road closures well in advance so people can avoid construction areas.

Tousignant said the project is important to many people, but cautioned residents not to think all flooding will stop.

“This work isn’t going to eliminate flooding. The gain is it will drain from the neighborhood quicker,” he said. “We just don’t have enough money to eliminate flooding.”