To the Editor:
It has been a while since the LCN has published a letter to the Editor concerning Rt. 1 traffic going through Wiscasset. I thought I would offer my most recent experience driving from Newcastle to Brunswick.
I should have realized that it was a mistake to attempt this at two o’clock in the afternoon, but it was a last minute decision. Heading south, the backup started at the Coastal boat repair and storage facility. I decided to time how long it took to go from that point to the corner where Red’s Eats is located. It took 56 minutes.
Needless to say, all the while I was thinking about the years of discussion that has taken place over the need for a bypass that would help to alleviate this sort of traffic situation.
At some point, there has to be a meeting of the minds that three or four months of this sort of traffic does not present this part of Maine in a positive light with tourists who chose to vacation here, spend money here and escape their day to day tensions. I have never met a single person visiting this area who asked for directions to Wiscasset or suggestions of things to do in Wiscasset.
The reality of the situation is probably the main drawing point in Wiscasset is Red’s Eats and that won’t change even if it is re-located to some other part of the town. No matter where Red’s Eats is located, there will always be people on the opposite side of the street who will want to cross over to get there. Thanks to food editors in newspapers like the New York Times, Red’s has a national reputation and is always on the “To Do” list of many of the people who visit this part of Maine. Getting here is no picnic either.
Returning from my trip to Brunswick, the backup heading north on Rt. 1 started just before Wiscasset Ford. From that point it took nearly 35 minutes to get to the corner where Sarah’s is located.
With all the discussion that has taken place concerning the traffic situation on Rt. 1, I don’t believe anyone has commented on the amount of fuel (gasoline and diesel) that is wasted every day for three or four months as cars, trucks and campers idle in traffic trying to get through Wiscasset. Additionally, there has to be huge quantities of pollutants that are being spewed into the atmosphere every day too.
While gasoline prices have come down a little from last year, we are still paying nearly $3 a gallon. Gasoline stations are probably the only retail outlets that are actually doing well in our present economy. As bad as the traffic situation is today, even if the various parties could reach an agreement on a workable solution, the reality is it will take years for any solution to be implemented.
We have to start somewhere and we really have to think of a solution that meets the greater good rather than the interests of the few who are so entrenched in their self interests.
Barbara Contardo
Newcastle
