Maine State Route 8
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Termini and Mileage (2006)	Termini Main alignment: Int of CHANDLER ST, STATE ST, Augusta to Int of PLEASANT ST, US 201, US, Solon Mileage Main alignment: 51.65 miles (total over all segments)
Notes and History	ME 8 is a very hard route to follow historically since almost all of it piggybacks on some larger through route, frequently jumping off onto another highway's alignment in a number of the towns it enters. The only segments that are wholly ME 8 run between North Belgrade and Norridgewock, and even that region is partially cosigned (Village Rd near Rome at ME 225 north to Smithfield is cosigned with ME 137); most of its length is cosigned either with US 201A or ME 11. In fact, ME 8 is probably the prototype of the useless multiplex in just about every conceivable circumstance; even its termini are useless, wholly routed with other existing highways (with ME 11 and ME 27 at the traffic circle in Augusta, and with US 201A at US 201 in Solon). For people who think that ME 100 is the route that actually deserves this dubious honour, read ME 100's history first -- it has an excuse. ME 8 doesn't. The route number does not seem to be in use prior to 1954, and a historical question mark remains about its original course between Smithfield and Norridgewock; however, the routing appears to have resolved itself by 1955 (see ME 135 for the history of this alignment). From that point then as now, ME 8 started in Augusta at the Memorial Circle, continuing north with ME 11 and ME 27 to Belgrade, where ME 27 leaves and ME 8 continues with ME 11 to North Belgrade where it proceeds north on new routing by itself to Smithfield. South of Smithfield it intersects ME 137 and travels with it to Smithfield proper and leaves ME 137 on its final solo routing (itself the former alignment of ME 137) to Norridgewock, where it joins US 201A through Madison and ME 16 north of Madison to end at US 201 near Solon. For realignments related to the routes it is co-signed with, see those entries.
Archival Photographs
Old signage for ME 8, ME 11 and ME 27 along I-95 in Augusta (Highway News 9/60). Note that on the older guide signs there is no white background fill for the state shields.
Additional Photographs
ME 8, ME 11 and ME 27 cosigned in Augusta.
Additional Resources	Maine Highways 1 to 10 (JP Kirby)

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