Tell us if you are experiencing otherwise, but as I’ve noted at least once since the state’s downtown project, the bottlenecks are looking nothing like they were. Even if I’m moving about at commuter times, or Fourth of July weekend, I have been in none this summer, just the expected slight backup at the traffic lights.  

With gas hikes and air quality alert days, a lack of standstills except those and other brief ones for construction, such as in Woolwich, has been nice. And speaking of Woolwich, I am really liking the new traffic lights at the Route One-Nequasset Road intersection. At last, those on either side get a turn instead of being indefinitely poised to enter Route One.

I saw one car on Route One blow through a red light, though. Although the lights are new, the signs warning of the new traffic pattern ahead should be all the reminder anyone needs to watch for, and heed, the lights.

I still see as many out-of-state plates, and nearly all the region’s annual events have returned if they had not already last year; so hopefully there are not fewer people around, just shorter waits in traffic. And that is a nicer way to spend the summer.

Week’s positive parting thought: Spend time in Wiscasset for the right reason, not just while in any traffic: Stop by choice, to enjoy the restaurants, shops and other commerce that, along with the town and churches or other groups, offer events or just a few nice hours in a nice and lovely town.