Officials hoping for smooth traffic flow

    By now most people living or traveling in Presque Isle have noticed the work being done on the traffic light system.
    First, everyone should know that this project is entirely designed, constructed and funded by the Maine Department of Transportation and their contractors. There are no city funds being put into the project.     The city’s Public Works, Police, Fire and Planning departments were asked for and gave input into the project during the planning and design stages to be sure we got a system that met the City’s needs and traffic patterns.
    The project has been on going most of the summer and should be completed by fall. When it is done, traffic should move smoothly through town, pedestrian crossings will be safer and wait times will be reduced.
    This department has been receiving, and trying to respond to a lot of complaints about long wait times at intersections, even when no other traffic is there. Currently, until the new controllers and sensors are all installed, programmed, tested and tweaked, there will be longer wait times while the lights cycle and give each leg of an intersection a green light. We can only ask for everyone to be patient while the work gets done.
    If anyone has questions or complaints they should be directed to the Maine Department of Transportation, Region 5 office in Presque Isle, at 207-764-2060.
    The Public Works crew has completed the first phase of rehabilitating Second Street. The section in front of the Post Office was chosen first because of its high usage and traffic. It is a prominent place in the community and projects a good image of our community.
    Phase two will be the section in front of the Library between State Street and Academy Street and is being planned for 2010 if funding is available. Phase two will also include paving State Street from Main Street to Third Street, again depending on funding.
    Phase three will be the section between Church Street and Blake Street and will include Church Street from Main Street to Third Street. This phase is planned for 2011, pending funding.
    A portion of Park Street has been milled and as soon as the Presque Isle Sewer District has finished replacing several hundred feet of sewer line, the street will be paved.
    Dyer Street from Park Street to State Street has been paved, the sidewalk has been repaved and the city’s portion of the Washburn Road has been shimmed and paved.
    Gerry James is the Public Works Director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 764-2560 or via e-mail at gerryjames@mfx.net.