Ninety percent of respondents to a Maine Department of Transportation survey prefer that construction of the $4.5 million downtown project shut down in July and August.

Ernie Martin, MDOT project engineer, shared results of last month’s survey with the Public Advisory Committee Tuesday night.

Almost 80 percent of the 303 respondents identified themselves as Wiscasset residents with 45 percent saying they are frequent patrons of Wiscasset businesses. Eleven percent identified themselves as Wiscasset business owners. Most took the survey online, although Martin said 30 people filled out paper surveys left at the town office.

“As far as our surveys go, this was a pretty good response,” he said.

Respondents were asked a number of questions including what style of brick to use in the construction of Main Street sidewalks, the style of lampposts, bollards and bike racks. Respondents could also post comments and suggestions of their own.

Nearly 60 percent want the construction work to be carried out overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Comments MDOT received were overwhelmingly positive, although several respondents suggested the state reconsider constructing a Route 1 Wiscasset bypass. “DOT is doing a fantastic job with this project. They have been very professional in spite of the negative activity by a few individuals in town. Keep up the great work,” read one comment.

“I think we need to scrap the whole plan,” read another.

Martin said all the comments and survey results can be read online at http://www.maine.gov/mdot/projects/wiscasset/downtown/

Martin suggested inviting the preservation commission to the next meeting to hear the commission’s suggestions. “The sooner you can tell us what amenities you want, the better it will be for us in the planning process,” added Martin.

MDOT is planning another informational meeting the first week of October.