The newly-formed R.O.A.D. organization (Route One Alternative Decisions) sent to MDOT on Friday its formal opposition to the proposed northern bypass routes. In addition, it made three requests to assist in the long term effort to ameliorate the traffic problem in the Wiscasset 'SSZ' (Seasonal Slow Zone).

About the bypass, the Comments stated,

1. We oppose all five of the proposed northern bypass routes because they are costly both as direct expenses and as losses to the tax bases of Wiscasset and Edgecomb. The five routes are too long and their environmental damage far outweighs the anticipated gains from eliminating the seasonal slowdown of traffic (SST). Also, they fail to recognize the certain result of the construction of a new bridge over the Sheepscot River at Wiscasset which will be the long term degradation, and not-to-be-replaced loss, of the existing Davey Bridge. If the current MDOT guideline of 80 years for the life of a bridge is continued, the Davey Bridge will be abandoned approximately in 2063, if a bypass is built that does not incorporate the Davey Bridge into its route.'

Regarding the "no-build option," R.O.A.D. stated,

2. The no-build option is not reasonable either, because it is a 'do-nothing' option. Instead the DOT should prepare alternate proposals for what could be done to increase the flow of traffic with the same sums of money anticipated for the five northern bypasses. You might start with plans for 10, 20, 30 and 40 million dollars.'

In addition, R.O.A.D. made three requests to MDOT, 'to help ameliorate the traffic flow in Wiscasset. They will be useful if there is no bypass, and they will be useful during the time it takes to build a bypass, if one is built.

A. Please install web-connected cameras (webcams) at either end of the SSZ (Seasonal Slow Zone) in Wiscasset, perhaps in the area of the NAPA store in Wiscasset, and the Route 1/Route 27 intersection in Edgecomb. These webcams will enable everyone with access to the Internet to see the speed of traffic in the SSZ and modify their transportation plans accordingly.

B. Please install at least one permanent traffic counter in the SSZ. The first should be in the center of Wiscasset, perhaps at the entrance to the Davey Bridge, which would be connected to the Internet so that everyone will be able to see the hourly, daily, monthly and annual traffic traveling through Wiscasset, in both directions. Such a counter could use the modern wireless sensor technology at a fraction of the cost or formerly used counters.

C. Please investigate the costs of building a pedestrian bridge or tunnel in the vicinity of the intersections of the railroad and Route 1 and Water Street and Route 1. Of the five high crash locations (HCLs) identified in Exhibit 1.17 of the DEIS, the location with the second highest critical rate factor (CRF) is 'Route 1 from Railroad Street to Edgecomb town line.' A pedestrian bridge or tunnel in this area would help reduce accidents, many of which are caused by pedestrians crossing Route 1 to go to Red's Eats. Such a bridge or tunnel could be built during the planned 2009 resurfacing project in Wiscasset.'

For more information about R.O.A.D. contact Frank Risell at 882-9781.