CONCORD, Mass. – The Maine Department of Transportation is seeking a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District to conduct work in waters of the U.S. in conjunction with work at the Route 4 Bridge in Avon, Maine.

The Maine Department of Transportation proposes to place temporary and permanent fill below the ordinary high water line of Valley Brook in Avon in order to install concrete cable mat scour protection for the substructure of the Route 4 Bridge.

The proposed project will result in approximately 1,350 square feet of permanent and 2,130 square feet of temporary stream bed impact. Concrete cable mats will be placed in front of each abutment, extending approximately 16 feet upstream and downstream of the bridge. The mats will be anchored at the top of the existing bridge footings and will be installed at a 2:1 slope to one foot below the existing streambed. Temporary fill is required for cofferdams and other construction-related disturbance.

This work is designed to stabilize critical transportation infrastructure, ensure public safety, and protect the economic vitality of Maine’s transportation network.

The application for the federal permit was filed with the Corps of Engineers in compliance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which regulates the discharge or fill of material in U.S. waters, including wetlands. The public notice can be viewed at www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/PublicNotices.aspx.

Public comments referencing this permit request by the Maine Department of Transportation (File # NAE-2017-00057) should be forwarded no later than Feb. 17, 2017 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New England District, Maine Project Office (ATTN: Jay Clement), 675 Western Ave., #3, Manchester, Maine 04351. Additional information is available from Permit Project Manager Jay Clement at 207-623-8367 or by email to jay.l.clement@usace.army.mil.