WISCASSET, Maine — Wiscasset town leaders are looking at ways they can alleviate the summer congestion on Route 1.
The town of Wiscasset has been looking at traffic solutions for decades. On Tuesday night, the Maine DOT laid out two plans to reconfigure traffic downtown.
Wiscasset residents and business owners filled the Community Center gym to hear the proposals.
The DOT says both options include sidewalk extensions, additional traffic lights and a new parking lot. There is one big difference between the two options. The second plan would eliminate all parking on Main Street. Gerry Audibert, from the Maine DOT, said the department prefers this option.
These two proposals are starkly different from the well-known and widely debated Route 1 Bypass.
“We were looking at treating an eight-week problem with a $100 million solution. It clearly became unattainable, so what we’ve been doing recently is looking at non-bypass alternatives,” said Audibert.
Residents and business owners said they appreciated the alternatives.
“I like the part that there will be no on-street parking. That will help slow everything down,” said Wiscasset resident Lynn Maloney.
“The proposals are excellent. I like number two. It, again, eliminates the parking on the street and it allows people to get through town faster,” said resident Bill Maloney.
The Maine DOT will hold another public meeting next month and a public hearing in May. The next steps will include a town referendum in June, followed by a vote by the board of selectmen.