In response to a storm of protest, Maine Department of Transportation officials agreed to repave the full width of the Route 1 road shoulders in Woolwich.

Selectman David King Sr. notified the newspaper late Tuesday afternoon, May 3 after MDOT notified the town office of its change of plans.

“As people were aware, there was a lot of concern expressed from the road commissioner and others about the state’s plans to only repave eight feet of the road shoulders,” King commented. “After meeting with us Monday night in the town office they’ve decided now to repave the full 10 feet of the breakdown lanes on both sides of the road.”

MDOT’s decision was good news to Road Commissioner Jack Shaw, who had urged state officials to stick with the 10-foot road shoulders. His letter to the newspaper pointed out a number of benefits for maintaining the wider shoulders, among them making the busy highway safer for motorists and bicyclists.

Reached for comment, Shaw said he was happy the state saw the light. “We had a good meeting with them Monday. They told us they wanted consistency for the Route 1 corridor and I told them that not all parts of the highway are the same as ours that serves a major employer like the Bath Iron Works.

“I tell you honestly, I was surprised when they telephoned today and said they’d decided to stick with the 10-foot shoulder width. I’m very pleased and think they made the right decision,” he added.

The stretch of Route 1 through Woolwich is a major thoroughfare for daily commuters and has some of the area’s heaviest traffic. The road repaving is set to commence next week and includes from the Taste of Maine Restaurant north to the Wiscasset line near Montsweag Roadhouse.

Crooker Construction, LLC of Topsham is the contractor. The repaving includes about about five miles of highway.