LIVERMORE FALLS — A state road project to reconstruct 1.1 miles of Route 4 is expected to begin next year.

It has been delayed for years due to funding and the complexity of the right of way, a state project manager said.

The project was expected to begin this year, but it was delayed after a public hearing in December 2009 because so many people wanted some off-street parking created to replace what would be lost in the Chisholm area across from Church Street.

Both towns agreed with a delay so there could be more parking for events and businesses, Maine Department of Transportation Project Manager Jim Ferguson said.

The state will take an apartment building and a former U.S. Cellular store by eminent domain near Franchetti’s Home Town Variety in Jay for more off-street parking, Ferguson said.

The construction part of the project, which will run from Bridge Street in Livermore Falls to Pineau Street in Jay, is now planned to be advertised between late February and early March 2011, he said.

The typical process is to advertise for three weeks, then bids would be submitted and reviewed, Ferguson said. Preferably it would be awarded in mid-March to early April and construction would begin at the end of May or early June, he said.

Last year, the project was estimated to cost $6.5 million. Ferguson said to the best of his knowledge there is funding for it. Construction costs for the state’s portion is between $5 million and $5.8 million, according to a MDOT website.

Jay and Livermore Falls plan to install new sewer mains and lines, and Livermore Falls Water District also plans to upgrade its water lines at an estimated combined cost of more than $2 million during the state’s construction.

There has been a lot of work done on the effect the retaining wall will have and the determination of what will be needed for temporary and permanent rights of way, Ferguson said.

Livermore Falls Town Manager Jim Chaousis told selectmen Monday that he was disappointed with another delay.

dperry@sunjournal.com