The Alpine Shop sign stands March 2 at the curb along Maine Street in Rangeley. The town is planning to install a sidewalk in front of the business as part of a broader sidewalk improvement project this year. (Quentin Blais/Staff Writer)

Rangeley is one step closer to securing a contractor for the long-awaited downtown sidewalk improvement project.

The lowest bid came from Pratt & Sons Inc., which selectmen reviewed during their Feb. 17 meeting. The project aims to repair sidewalks and drainage infrastructure downtown.

The project is slated to take up much of Route 4 downtown, with sidewalks being repaired in front of Sarge’s Sports Pub & Grub, Rangeley Baptist Church, Rangeley Builders Supply and from Mike Cerminara Landscaping to the intersection of Main Street and Allen Street. Three storm drains will be replaced on Main Street.

For pedestrians, a new crosswalk with flashing lights will be installed in the street in front of Rangeley Builders Supply. New signs will also be installed at various points downtown.

Because the bid from Pratt came in around $140,000 over budget, the town is considering approaching the project in phases, with initial work taking place in the spring before Memorial Day, and the rest in the fall. Town Manager Joe Roach said that the phased approach would give the town time to approve the rest of the money at the annual town meeting in June, but it hinges on whether the contractor is willing to agree to that schedule.

“I am waiting to hear back from the contractor to see if that approach was something the owner of the company was in favor of,” Roach said. “Once I hear from them, I will reconnect with the Board of Selectmen for next steps.”

Quentin Blais, an Illinois native, is the community reporter for the Rangeley Highlander. He covers Rangeley and the surrounding towns in northern Franklin County. Quentin studied photography and journalism…
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