Power Lines over the Kennebec

[wnderer]

http://www.centralmaine.com/2018/01/...smission-line/

Central Maine Power wants to build a new power line corridor from Quebec to Massachusetts. It will cross the AT where the AT crosses the Kennebec river at Caratunk. The Somerset County Commission is working with CMP to see how the project can contribute to 'nature-based' tourism. Maybe the ATC should get involved to see how it affects the trail. Maybe they can get the CMP to put in a pedestrian bridge over the Kennebec and save hikers fifty bucks or whatever the ferry costs now. CMP workers could use it to inspect the power lines.

[Sarcasm the elf]

The ferry costs money now?

[Old Hillwalker]

The proposal is for the lines to cross over the K Gorge. Not at the Caratunk crossing point. And by the way, the ferry is a canoe and it is free.

[wnderer]

The ferry costs money now?

I guess it only costs money in May and October.
https://sectionhiker.com/the-kennebe...lachian-trail/

[Deadeye]

Even a pedestrian bridge of that size is a multi-million dollar undertaking. If the ferry's that much of an issue, moving the trail to the next highway bridge is a simple solution... that probably isn't as simple as that.

[peakbagger]

Every developer came out of the woodwork to bid on the Mass Clean Energy RFP, there are several much shorter projects including two through NH and one through VT.

[rocketsocks]

Put in a zip line and bag the the boat ride.

[TJ aka Teej]

Won't cross at Caratunk.

[D2maine]

The ferry costs money now?

no it does not

[D2maine]

Even a pedestrian bridge of that size is a multi-million dollar undertaking. If the ferry's that much of an issue, moving the trail to the next highway bridge is a simple solution... that probably isn't as simple as that.

the canoe is not an issue...first thing in the am there may be a small wait the rest of the day there is no wait

[D2maine]

Won't cross at Caratunk.

its running down the rt 201 side of the river in the caratunk area

[soilman]

The proposal is for the lines to cross over the K Gorge. Not at the Caratunk crossing point. And by the way, the ferry is a canoe and it is free.

There is no cost to hikers for the ferry but it is not free. The ATC contracts for this service. It does cost $50 a crossing outside the regular season.

[fiddlehead]

$50 ? WOW!

I remember when the Hudson river crossing was a dime.
$50 is quite a lot IMO
I forded it in off-season, late Oct, 2001. 6AM SOBO. Wasn't bad that time of year.
Think I still have a youtube vid of that ford somewhere.
Here it is: (ford takes place at the beginning and the end of the youtube song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEPxDtepd_8

Hey, I love Rocketsocks idea: zip line.
Why not?
I guess some people would be afraid of it, but they are popping all over here where I am in Asia and lots of fun.

[HooKooDooKu]

$50 ? WOW!

I remember when the Hudson river crossing was a dime.
$50 is quite a lot IMO
...

It's only $50 in the off season (and you have to call ahead of time to make an appointment) because someone has to come to the river and take you across.
So when you consider that someone isn't stationed at the crossing during the off season, $50 doesn't sound all that expensive.

[Carl7]

I highly suggest listening to this 4 part podcast series concerning this powerline project, link below. The Powerline series was produced by New Hampshire public radio. I had never heard of the project until the subject came up one night in a shelter in Southern Maine last summer. This is a deep podcast and subject, and one should really listen to all 4 episodes in order. There are no easy answers here. The answers ultimately come from within all of us. http://nhpr.org/post/powerline-how-h...ltural-history

[TJ aka Teej]

There are no easy answers here. The answers ultimately come from within all of us.

Won't cross at Caratunk.

[D2maine]

Won't cross at Caratunk.

i would love to see an exact map of the proposed route, there is already a powerline corridor going from Harris station down to bingham that crosses the AT near joes hole on moxie pond. also not sure why the need to cross the kennebec over the gorge when there is already an existing corridor that goes from 201 south of jackman right to harris station. so little info on the actual route its difficult to form a valid opinion on it.

[wnderer]

i would love to see an exact map of the proposed route, there is already a powerline corridor going from Harris station down to bingham that crosses the AT near joes hole on moxie pond. also not sure why the need to cross the kennebec over the gorge when there is already an existing corridor that goes from 201 south of jackman right to harris station. so little info on the actual route its difficult to form a valid opinion on it.

Here's a link to a low resolution map. Maybe there is a better one.

http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/wp-co...Map_8-2-17.png

[D2maine]

Here's a link to a low resolution map. Maybe there is a better one.

http://www.dailybulldog.com/db/wp-co...Map_8-2-17.png

so that shows the route using the existing corridor (solid green line) from just above the forks all the way to lewiston. not real sure how the article would say its near the Kennebec AT crossing. The existing corridor is on the east side of pleasant pond mountain - 8 miles and on the other side of a mountain from Caratunk. A more accurate statement would be to say its crossing the AT near Joe's Hole on Moxie Pond where there is already a power line corridor.

the new power lines would definitely impact the view east off of pleasant pond mountain and west from moxie bald mountain.

Not really a fan of this project to supply Mass with "clean" energy. Seems like this is just a way for Mass to transfer the pollution and environmental impact caused by their power consumption off on Northern New England and claim they are doing good at the same time.

[rocketsocks]

$50 ? WOW!

I remember when the Hudson river crossing was a dime.
$50 is quite a lot IMO
I forded it in off-season, late Oct, 2001. 6AM SOBO. Wasn't bad that time of year.
Think I still have a youtube vid of that ford somewhere.
Here it is: (ford takes place at the beginning and the end of the youtube song): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEPxDtepd_8

Hey, I love Rocketsocks idea: zip line.
Why not?
I guess some people would be afraid of it, but they are popping all over here where I am in Asia and lots of fun.

Just gotta say I enjoyed your video’s...several of them, namely “low ride” and the “Cassidy” thanks for posting.