Senator Jackson's Bill That Could Create 50 New Jobs Becomes Law

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

AUGUSTA – A bill sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Troy Jackson (D-Allagash) that could lead to the creation of approximately 50 new jobs in Ashland has become law. The law directs the Department of Transportation to examine ways to safely allow increased truck capacities from the Realty Road to the old Levesque Mill site in Ashland. The old mill site has new owners and this change would make it easier for them to do business. The law also applies to a similar stretch of road connected to Frasier Mill in Masardis.

“This law has great potential to create up to 50 new jobs,” 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. I am pleased that my legislative colleagues as well as the Department supported this important bill.”

L.D. 1467, Resolve, To Establish a Demonstration Project To Promote Economic Development in the Forest Products Industry, became law without the governor’s signature.

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