The Maine Department of Transportation is willing to spend an estimated $4,000,000 to $5,000,000 on traffic improvements for downtown Wiscasset that include new sidewalks, street lighting and at least two new parking lots.

Before the project can get under way, the townspeople have to determine which of two options they prefer, if either.

Over 150 area residents, including many downtown business owners, were on hand in the Wiscasset Community Center Tuesday night to hear from MDOT. The proposals deal primarily with Main Street (Route 1) between Middle and Water streets, although the changes would affect Railroad and Water streets as well. MDOT officials promise either option would reduce summer traffic snarls, make Main Street safer for pedestrians and improve the downtown’s appearance.

Gerry Audibert, an MDOT traffic engineer and project manager, told the audience depending on which option the town chooses the work could begin by the fall of 2018. “That’s optimistic but doable,” he said.

After the state stopped pursuing a Route 1 bypass, Aubibert said MDOT essentially went back to the drawing board. The goal was to come up with other solutions to relieve the traffic bottleneck that downtown Wiscasset becomes during the summer.

Realistically, he said it didn’t make sense for the state to spend $100,000,000 to construct a bypass to address traffic delays that only occurred from the beginning of July to the end of August. Audibert added MDOT had implemented a number of minor changes on Route 1 over the years and was now ready to offer something more substantial to address downtown Wiscasset.

The options were presented in a short power point presentation offering computer-generated images illustrating what the changes would look like. MDOT has provided a website detailing both. proposals, described simply as, “Option 1” and “Option 2.” The site was scheduled to go online at www.mainedot.gov on March 9. The Wiscasset town office plans to post a link to it on Facebook and the town’s website, www.wiscasset.org.

Another informational meeting is planned in mid-April followed by a more formal public hearing on both options in May. MDOT has suggested selectmen hold a non-binding referendum question on the project in June followed by a decision on the town’s preference.

Both options have several commonalities. The sidewalks would be widened on both sides of Main Street in order to comply with ADA standards. Pedestrians would be encouraged to use one of only two crosswalks on the corners of Middle and Water streets where lighted pedestrian signals would be placed. Traffic lights would be placed at the intersections of Middle and Water streets as well. Southbound traffic leaving the Davey Bridge would no longer be able to make a left turn onto Water Street, although the street would remain open to two-way traffic. Other amenities include adding benches, landscaping, lamp posts and improved directional signage.

MDOT plans to both widen and pave Railroad Street (now gravel) that runs from the lower end of Main Street; and construct a sidewalk there. At the northern end, the state is offering to construct a 26-space parking lot that will include two parking spaces for tour buses. Additional parking will also be added alongside the Creamery Pier.

The biggest difference between the two proposals is Option 2 would eliminate all parking on Main Street between Middle and Water streets. The sidewalks here would be widened into more of a pedestrian mall. Metal bollards would line the curbing both for aesthetics and to encourage people to use the crosswalks. (In Option 1 removable bollards would run down the middle of Main Street.)

To replace the parking eliminated on Main Street MDOT proposes purchasing the former CEI building on Water Street, Haggett Garage, and replacing it with a paved 29-space parking lot. Main Street currently has 25 parking spaces.

Following the presentation, MDOT opened the floor to questions and overall the feedback was very positive from those in attendance.

During the discussion Audibert emphasized the meeting’s purpose was to get some idea which option people preferred. “These (options) are what could be, not necessarily what would be,” he said.

MDOT’s preference was Option 2 but Audibert said the decision was up to the townspeople and selectmen to decide. MDOT will pay for all of the engineering and construction costs.

Several downtown residents were concerned with the added traffic either option would add to the side streets. Others felt MDOT also needed to address the intersection of Federal and Main where the post office was located.

MDOT promised to address all of these concerns and others at the upcoming meetings. They also noted the town could always decide to go with Option 3, to do nothing.