According to Nathan Leach and his wife, Meribeth, their 1860’s Greek revival home located on State Street has experienced pronounced damage due to the recent construction in front of their home.
Their 160-year-old home is one of two similar houses in the downtown Gorham area believed to have been built and designed by the same individual. The home, having been in the same family for several generations, was thought to have been originally built for a sea captain.
Photo credit Diane AbramsonThe Leaches started experiencing heavy vibrations and shaking of their home, not unlike an earthquake. According to the couple, “we had our dining room ceiling, in the room closest to the road, collapse with no other explanation. Additionally, we have noticed stress cracks appearing throughout the house which we believe are directly related to the construction and heavy truck traffic due to the poor condition of the road.”
The vibrations have gotten worse as construction on Route 25 has continued. They said, “we believe that this damage is directly related to the construction, heavy equipment operation, especially the excavators and other digging equipment, causing a large amount of vibration throughout the house.”
Although surrounding homes and businesses have experienced similar effects, they do not seem to be as damaging. “We believe, based on discussions with workers involved in the project, that our house sits on some sort of granite vein or other geologic formation that transfers energy from the road to the house more directly than others nearby.”
Photo credit Diane AbramsonThe dining room ceiling in the Leach’s home collapsed as a result of the road construction which caused heavy vibrations throughout the house.
The Leaches have contacted various local and state officials, such as the MDOT, the Gorham Director of Public Works, Gorham Sand & Gravel, the Wastewater Chief Operator, and the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.
According to town officials, Mr. Leach first contacted the Maine Department of Transportation last year, before the start of the Route 25 construction project. At that time, the Portland Water District did repair a manhole cover, which seemed to abate some of the issues.
Robert Burns, Gorham Public Works Director, visited the house after Mr. Leach’s initial letter to the MDOT. According to Burns, “traffic was light and I didn’t experience a loaded truck making the vibrations he described, but I think it is quite likely that the Portland Water District sewer manhole on the corner of State Street and Academy Street and the general condition of the roadway pavement in spots are the culprits. Hopefully, the MDOT project for Main Street will alleviate the problem.”
Although the Main Street project has started, the Leaches feel as though the problem has gotten worse due to the heavy machinery, not better. “Some people feel like we are attacking the project. That’s certainly not the case. The actual issue here is whether all is being done to minimize the impact to the residents affected by this project. Our goal is simple, to have our home and largest investment, and other residents’ homes, protected from damage due to the road conditions, traffic, and construction activities. In cases like ours where damage has occurred, the participants should take responsibility for repairing any damages.”