Has anyone noticed a lack of traffic tie-ups on Wiscasset’s Route 1 post-Memorial Day? Usually by now, some of the time, cars are backed up to Ames or even the Woolwich line, not counting accidents. While many big Midcoast events have canceled due to COVID-19, Wiscasset still gets many out of state plates, I’ve noticed. Perhaps the travelers are en route to their 14-day quarantine before joining the rest of us. And the plates in parking lots must belong to those who have already done theirs.

And yet, where are the tie-ups in the afternoon commutes and on weekends? I’m just not seeing them. Could the new traffic lights and patterns downtown be helping?

In case I was just missing the right times, I asked Wiscasset Police Chief Larry Hesseltine. He isn’t seeing the big tie-ups, either. But he noted, the department has started giving out tickets in spots cars are not supposed to be on Water and Middle streets; pedestrians and motorists are still learning if someone is at a crosswalk but the traffic light is green, the vehicle has the right of way; and he added this isn’t peak tourist time yet for pedestrians or motorists. He believes the mostly flowing traffic is a combination of that, plus COVID-19 and the new lights and patterns. Other than that, it’s too soon to tell, he said.

He’s right, and as I’ve mentioned before, I try to avoid seeing a bright side to a pandemic. But my hope is maybe, barring isolated instances, Wiscasset’s famed, miles long bottleneck of many decades is a thing of the past thanks to the state’s downtown project. We can tell better as the season goes on, and after July 1 when Gov. Janet Mills’ rules for out-of-staters change; and we can really tell better next year – hopefully pandemic-free if people keep being responsible.

Week’s positive parting thoughts: Being on Westport Island selectmen’s UberConference calls has been a joy, with everyone’s good humor and respectfulness that speak well of the town and its people. And kudos to Carole Drury and all involved with Wiscasset Elementary School mascot Wolfie’s adventures this month, a sweet idea and the poems were a delight.