Railroad Avenue appears to be greatly under-utilized, Maine Department of Transportation project manager Ernie Martin told the Public Advisory Committee in Wiscasset Monday night.

Martin based the observation on 20 minutes of drone footage showing traffic flow through town. He added the municipal parking lot on the south end of Water Street got very little use. “Perhaps you need some additional signage directing people to it,” he suggested.

The footage showed Route 1 traffic backing up both coming into and leaving downtown.

“What’s going to happen when you get two traffic lights there,” asked PAC member Seaver Leslie.

“It will be a lot better,” Martin responded. “Whether you believe it or not, the traffic lights will help with the traffic flow. They’ll also make it much safer for motorists and pedestrians alike.”

Resident Dan O’Connell felt MDOT should consider upgrading both Middle and Water streets to accommodate the increased traffic flow created by the downtown project.

A public hearing to discuss the project will be held sometime in September.

Also at Monday’s meeting, Martin continued to talk about the new survey seeking input on lighting, bollards, sidewalk construction and other amenities of the downtown project. Martin said the state would consider feedback it receives from the survey, which requires only a few minutes to take online.

“This isn’t a binding vote. Instead, it’s an effort to get qualitative feedback,” Martin said, adding respondents could also make comments and suggestions of their own. Respondents are also asked to indicate a preference for when construction work will be carried out either during the daytime, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., or at night after 9 p.m. “We’re also asking people whether the construction work should stop during July and August when the summer traffic is heaviest,” Martin continued.

The Survey Monkey link is: http://www.maine.gov/mdot/projects/wiscasset/downtown/landscape/ Respondents can only take the survey once. The deadline for participating is Friday, Aug. 25.Those without computer access can take a written survey. Copies are available at the town office during business hours. The deadline for completing the written survey is also Aug. 25.

MDOT planned a direct mailing to Wiscasset residents this week explaining how to participate. “You have a fairly short deadline,” PAC member Steve Christiansen said. Martin said he was counting on the newspapers and the direct mailing to generate interest. Results will be posted on the MDOT and town websites.

MDOT still plans to begin construction on the south side of Water Street removing the Haggett building and replacing it with a parking lot. “We’d like to have that part of the work completed before we tackle Main Street,” Martin said. When the Main Street work begins in 2018, the contractor will be required to maintain two-way traffic throughout construction.