Sen. Jackson's Bill Could Create 50 New Jobs

Bill would increase truck capacity on a small stretch of road in Ashland

AUGUSTA – Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) has sponsored a measure that could lead to the creation of approximately 50 new jobs in Ashland. The bill would examine ways to safely allow increased truck capacities from the Realty Road to the old Fraser mill site in Ashland. The old mill site has new owners and this change would make it easier for them to do business.

“Anything you can do to add 50 good jobs to our economy is worth doing,” said Senator Jackson. “Ashland is a logging town that has seen this type of trucking before and understands the benefits.”

This change would allow significantly larger loads, up to 200,000 pounds to travel this route. Trucks of this size have traveled the Garfield Road before but this change would allow the heavier trucks to cross a particular bridge in question, and then turn into the mill’s back entrance. A route about eight-tenths of a mile would be affected.

“We want to make sure that the roads remain safe no matter what,” said Senator Jackson. “I believe any fears can be alleviated by the town and the Department of Transportation working together.”

L.D. 1467, Resolve, To Establish a Demonstration Project To Promote Economic Development in the Forest Products Industry, received a public hearing in the Transportation Committee on Wednesday and will face a work session at a time and date to be determined.

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