New crosswalks and sidewalks near the intersection of routes 1 and 27 will make Wiscasset more walkable, state and local officials said. But plans for traffic lights there are raising concerns among some business owners.

“I think a light would be an absolute disaster,” John Reinhardt said at a Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) hearing on May 21. He predicted that Lee Street, where he has Highnote Bed & Breakfast, will see a hike in traffic, as people take it to avoid a wait at the lights.

Mainers rush to get home, Reinhardt said.

The hearing, part of the state's process ahead of construction, drew about 20 residents to the Wiscasset High School cafeteria. Comments ranged from the concerns to support for the lights, which will direct both northbound and southbound Route 1 motorists and those leaving Route 27.

Richard Thompson, owner of French & Company, told project officials they were showing a lack of concern for the toll the lights could take on summer business; that offended him, he said.

“You don't live here, and these are concerns,” Thompson said.

Those working on the project said the changes should not worsen summer traffic issues and may improve them. But they said the goal is safety. The intersection has a higher accident rate than ones with similar traffic volumes, according to Aurele Gorneau, an MDOT project manager.

Town Planner Misty Parker said the sidewalks and crosswalks will make the area more accessible to pedestrians and safer for them to walk.

Resident Don Jones spoke in support of a planned crosswalk connecting town and county properties on opposite sides of Route 1.

Some suggested a traffic roundabout, but project representatives said those take up a lot of space and that the research doesn't support one there.

An engineer on the project, Thomas Errico of T.Y.Lin International in Falmouth, said the issues raised Wednesday night may result in some tweaking, but no major changes, to the plans.

Construction is tentatively set to start in April 2015 and could be done that June, Gorneau said. If not, work may stop for July and August and then wrap up after Labor Day, he said.