Maine Department of Transportation officials will hold three additional meetings and a public hearing on an estimated $4 million to $5 million traffic improvement project for downtown Wiscasset.

The first meeting is with the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce Thursday, April 28 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. in the hearing room of the Wiscasset town office. The proposals include the addition of two traffic signals and widening the Main Street sidewalks by eliminating or reducing parking.

Gerry Audibert, MDOT regional planner and project manager, said an open house and public hearing would be held Tuesday, May 10 at Wiscasset Community Center. The first half of the meeting is from 3 to 5 p.m. and will allow for informal one-on-one discussions with traffic engineers. A public hearing will then follow from 6 to 8 p.m.

MDOT has also scheduled a meeting with Wiscasset’s Historic Preservation Commission for Monday, May 2 in the town office hearing room from 5 to 7 p.m.

At the open house, Audibert said tables would be set up where MDOT staff will answer questions or concerns people might have.

“We'll have a continuous loop displaying options 1 and 2, and pre-addressed cards will be provided for interested persons to submit written comments and questions,” he told the newspaper Monday, April 25.

The public hearing will be similar to MDOT’s initial unveiling of the proposals held in March, Audibert added. The proposals include constructing new, wider sidewalks, improved street lighting and signage, landscaping and building at least one new parking lot. Both options include the addition of traffic signals and lighted pedestrian crossings at the intersections of Water and Middle streets.

Among the more controversial ideas within Option 2 is eliminating all parking on Main Street. The proposal includes razing the former CEI building on Water Street that once housed Haggett’s Garage and constructing a 29-space parking lot there. Another parking lot is planned at the north end of Railroad Street. Main Street between Water and Middle streets currently has 25 parking spaces.

MDOT believes either proposal will reduce summer traffic snarls as well as make the downtown safer for pedestrians. Before the project can get going, the townspeople have to determine which of two options they prefer. They can also recommend leaving downtown as it is.

Selectmen have promised to have a non-binding question for voters to indicate their preference when they vote on the 2016-17 town budget. Absentee voting begins May 13. Selectmen will make their recommendation based on the townspeople’s preference.

Both options 1 and 2 have several commonalities. The sidewalks would be widened on both sides of Main Street to comply with ADA standards and pedestrians directed to use one of only two crosswalks on the corners of Middle and Water streets.

Southbound traffic leaving the Davey Bridge would no longer be permitted to make a left turn onto Water Street, although the street would remain open to two-way traffic. Other amenities include adding benches, landscaping, lampposts and improved directional signage all paid for by MDOT.

MDOT also plans to both widen and pave Railroad Street (now dirt) that runs from the lower end of Main Street; and construct an asphalt sidewalk here. The state is proposing to construct a 26-space parking lot at the northern end of Railroad Street that will include two parking spaces for tour buses. Additional parking will also be added alongside the Creamery Pier.

The state would pay for all the engineering and construction costs. Audibert said construction likely wouldn’t begin until 2018.

Wiscasset Historic Preservation Commission members exchanged views about MDOT’s proposals when they met April 7. Among the concerns was the loss of Main Street parking and removal of Haggett’s Garage. The two-story brick building built in 1916 is located within the town’s historic district.

To view a 3-D download depicting MDOT options and other information go to www.mainedot.gov.