Edgecomb residents got to question representatives of Maine Department of Transportation Monday, Oct. 22 about MDOT’s proposed solution to traffic at U.S. Routes 1 and 27.

More than a dozen residents attended the public hearing  in addition to selectmen Jack Sarmanian, Ted Hugger and Mike Smith, Town Clerk and Treasurer Claudia Coffin and Fire Chief Roy Potter.

Frequently pointing out the design plan at the front of the room, MDOT engineer Matt Philbrick referred to the $1.1 million venture as a “safety improvement project” and said the significant number of rear end crashes made the change necessary.

The previous design has been modified to provide a left turn pocket for Englebrekt Road residents turning left onto Route 1 north.

After crossing Route 1 southbound, there will be a waiting area so vehicles can safely pause before merging into Route 1 northbound traffic. According to MDOT  senior project manager Ernie Martin, this will be the first such design in the state.

As described by Philbrick, the raised triangle at the intersection of Routes 1 and 27 will have a curb of angled granite to accommodate larger trucks if needed.

Martin said the project will include a merge of four lanes into three, similar to those in Augusta on State Street and on Western Avenue. Acknowledging this will create “a lot of change,” Martin told residents overhead signs and flashing beacons will  advise  motorists of the lane merges.

Potter raised concerns about the clearance for curbs and planned signage.  “Will there be room for emergency apparatus if traffic is blocked up there,” he asked.

“I think you will be fine and I’ll make sure the signs aren’t blocking the way,” Martin said.

MDOT’s right-of-way property officer Luther Yonce said the state will work with property owners  if they need any changes at the edge of their property. “Temporary rights-of-way go away as soon as the project is ended,” he said, explaining  the temporary work right is only to be used for construction and not for vehicle storage.

Yonce outlined a process for residents in which the type of rights would first be determined, then an environmental assessment would be made and after that an appraiser would be hired to meet with those affected.

Martin expects the project to start early in 2020 and hoped that there will be an opportunity to accelerate that timing into 2019 but said DOT’s project queue is “pretty congested right now.” He hoped that some of the drainage work could be done in the fall of 2019. “Then we could come back and finish up in 2020.”

The project has been funded to  $1.1millon and Martin hopes the bids come in within that amount although he said costs have steadily increased.

Englebrekt Road resident Paul Gagnon questioned Martin about safety concerns for those turning left onto Route 1 north. Martin reassured him there will be an area where Englebrekt Road residents can wait before merging into northbound traffic.

Smith asked about landscaping similar that used in other MDOT projects. “We can probably do something,” Martin replied. Hugger expressed a concern about the potential bottleneck from construction at the intersection. Martin said it may be possible to do some of the work at night.

Coffin informed the MDOT representatives, the end of Englebrekt Road on Route 1 is a school bus stop.  Martin thanked her for the information.

Martin advised the residents,  he will provide color-coded maps which will be available at the town office so residents can clearly see the project design.

In a brief meeting earlier Monday,  selectmen decided they will contact neighbors of the Lallis property once more  to see if there is an interest in buying it. A cost savings of approximately $300 is expected on the municipal building roof project if the town removes the roof shingles itself. Weather permitting, it is expected the new roof will be completed by the end of November.

The next selectmen’s meeting is set for 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5  at the municipal building.