We moved into our home on U.S. Route 201, south of Skowhegan, almost 40 years ago. Then, the road was in good condition, and the traffic was brisk only when the Canadians drove through on their way to Old Orchard or when the Skowhegan State Fair was in full swing.
The loudest noise we heard was occasional target practice across the river at the Sportsman’s Club.
It was pretty peaceful here.
Now, fast forward to 2011. There have been some changes.
Huge trucks break up the roadway faster than it can be patched. The rough road causes their recapped tires to peal off regularly.
Cleaning up the debris is not the responsibility of the State Police or Department of Transportation. Dead deer and other road kill is left to the coyotes and crows.
Additionally, the trucks use their jake brakes at every opportunity. They really rap when their mufflers have blown out.
Meanwhile, the Sportsman’s Club sponsors dirt bike racing nearly every Sunday in the summer. Practice is held most other days of the week. Even over a mile away, they are some noisy.
The regular motorcycle traffic along U.S. 201 also is roaring again after a one-year hiatus. The new law is unenforced and forgotten.
But the Kennebec River has been free of pulpwood more than 35 years. It looks great. It’s a pity that it’s pretty much been fished out.
Increased truck travel, bad roads, highway trash and excessive dirt bike and motorcycle noise all pollute our once-peaceful valley now.
It is not only the fault of the environmentalists; however, their short-sightedness has certainly contributed. The environment, around my home, has clearly not improved over the years.
Richard J. LaPorte
Skowhegan
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