FREEPORT, Maine — Controversy is growing along the highway after the DOT cut down hundreds of trees with little warning in Freeport. Neighbors said the trees used to block out the noise and view of the highway.
Joni Tompson said she is getting used to some new neighbors since the Department of Transportation cut down the trees between Elm Street and Interstate 295.
The 50,000 commuters that pass by are much easier for residents to hear. “It is so much louder. I find myself yelling to people when I’m talking to people out back,” Tompson said.
In Augusta, DOT managers admit that the project wasn’t popular, but they said it was necessary. “I got calls as soon as we started cutting from people who were woken up in the middle of the night. I think one of the things we try to do is be sensitive to the balance of what people adjacent to a project are going to think versus the reward of helping out 50,000 commuters a day who have better sight distance, a better road surface to drive on, better visibility and that’s the balance we try to strike,” John Cannell, DOT Southern Regional Manager, said.
Officials said the $200,000 project will allow drivers to better see animals charging into road and let more light through to melt ice and snow in the winter.
But Tompson is worried the noise will be more of a nuisance. “Both of my kids bedrooms are on that side and they don’t even open the windows on that side of the window at all it’s just too loud. It’s just too much,” Tompson said.
The town is trying to help with the noise. On Wednesday, they brought in equipment and supplies to build a berm at the end of Elm Street.
Tompson said she is putting up her own wall as well. It’s going to cost her $4,000, but she says it’s an investment that’s worth it. “The value dropped with that for sure. There’s no question,” Tompson said.
The question is whether or not this will happen to other neighborhoods, because the DOT’s original plans included areas from Freeport to Brunswick.