At least one for the worst of the worst roads in Newcastle is heading for an overhaul.

The Newcastle board of selectmen agreed Monday, Sept. 8 to move forward with a bid from Harry C. Crooker & Sons to reclaim and resurface Cochran Road for $119,000, and to shim and reclaim the North Newcastle Road with some of the leftover money.

The measure passed, 5-0.

Superintendent of Roads Steve Reynolds said Crooker was the top choice for the job because of their equipment.

“They'll be able to (pave both lanes) it in a single pass,” he said. “That prevents weak spots, and makes the road last a little bit longer.”

The money will come from a $181,000 capital budget, meaning the leftover money will be put to use repairing the North Newcastle Road.

If everything goes to plan, the new Cochran Road will last for the next 20 years, while the shimming will extend North Newcastle's lifespan by five years, Reynolds said.

Once that time is up, Selectman Ben Frey said he would see the North Newcastle road completed.

“I don't want this to keep getting bumped,” he said. “Many of us won't be here (on the board of selectmen) in five years, so is there a way to make sure we stick to the plan?”

Reynolds said that because Newcastle's debt will end within the next few years, more money will be available to complete what is expected to be an approximately $665,000 job on North Newcastle.

There was some urgency, as the road will be able to be repaired this year, but with fall arriving the window began to close.