*The sixth meeting of the Bypass Task force provides continuing feedback on the public comment process. See MINUTES  from MDOT.

First Meeting of R.O.A.D.

*Eight public meetings are held in several towns to gather comments on the DEIS.

Wiscasset voters authorize Selectmen to sell to Red's Eats the land on which it rests.

*The fifth meeting of the Bypass Task Force provides early concerns and feedback on gaps in the DEIS.

*The Wiscasset Route 1 Corridor Study – Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation (DEIS for short) is released to the public. The public comment period starts and will end on December 21, 2007.

*The projected DEIS release date is pushed back to September.

*MDOT begins calling on businesses affected by the five build options to gather information on number and categories of employees in order to estimate the economic impact.

*The projected DEIS release date is pushed back to July.

*Fourth Bypass Task Force meeting continues review of the detailed drawings of the five routes.

*Third Midcoast Bypass Task Force Task Force meeting reviews detailed drawings of the five remaining proposed bypass routes. New estimated release date for DEIS is May 2007.

*Edgecomb letter to Commissioner Cole restates its insistence on N8c and calls for an end to the stalemate.

*Wiscasset selectmen request MDOT to extend the southern terminus of proposed bypass farther to the south than Napa Auto Parts, to route the bypass north of the high school instead of south of the primary school, and to provide complete interchanges on state routes 27 and 218 to allow gravel trucks and commuter traffic to avoid the village.

*Second Midcoast Bypass Task Force meeting is held to receive the starting positions of Wiscasset, Edgecomb, as well as other towns and special interest groups. MDOT announces DEIS is now expected by November 2006. Further Task Force meetings put on hold.

*First Midcoast Bypass Task force meeting is held. MDOT announces the umpteenth delay in completion of the DEIS.

*A change in the N2f route in Edgecomb is revealed in revised alignment map. Slight changes in Bradford Road and Willow Lane underpasses in Wiscasset also revealed.

*MDOT asks Wiscasset and Edgecomb to participate in a new public process to be facilitated by Garrand and Company, and to be called the Midcoast Bypass Task Force. The basis of negotiations will be the DEIS that is expected to be completed January 2006.

*MDOT releases optimistic timeline showing bypass completed in 2012 if Federal Highway Agency issues Record of Decision in 2006.

*MDOT complies with a freedom of information request from the Town of Wiscasset. Commissioner Cole declines to meet further with Wiscasset until the DEIS has been released.

*MDOT announces replacement of the consulting firm working on the DEIS, and sets December 2005 as the new target date for completion. Confirms only N2a, N2f, N2h and N8c are still under consideration.

*Another non-binding bypass referendum with very low participation. Results: Route N2 received 128 votes, N8c received 87 votes, and 41 voters left the ballot blank.

*Edgecomb selectmen publicly state that Edgecomb will only accept bypass alignment that touches down on Davis Island in Edgecomb (N8c)

*Wiscasset citizens calling themselves the Ad Hoc Committee proposes a new bypass route that starts south of Napa Auto parts, goes north of the high school and crosses at the narrows by the railroad bridge like the N2 alignments. The Ad Hoc proposal is supported by the Wiscasset Transportation Committee and endorsed by the selectmen. MDOT refuses to consider it.

*An internal letter from the Army Corps of Engineers becomes public stating that bypass alignment N8c does not pass the straight face test, due to environmental issues with its proposed long new Sheepscot River bridge.

*Newly elected Governor Baldacci appoints David Cole Commissioner of Transportation. MDOT announces intention to complete the bypass study.

*Release of Draft Environmental Impact Statement is again postponed.

*Another nonbinding referendum containing competing questions from the Selectmen and from the Midcoast Traffic Coalition draws huge turnout. Results- no-build bested build 52% to 48%. Of the two build options offered to voters N2 beat N8c 60% to 40%.

*Commissioner Melrose says no further route alternatives will be considered. The remaining options are N8c and three variations of N2.

*Selectmen adopt wording for non-binding referendum to be held on Nov 3 general election. Midcoast Traffic Coalition submits petition for competing referendum with different questions. Both will appear on the November ballot.

*Selectmen agree to partner with MDOT to prepare renderings of what the N2 and N8 routes will look like where they cross existing roads.

*The interagency group eliminates N8d from further consideration and adopts changes to route N8c that brings it north of Langdon hill.

*Selectmen submit a proposed route that would cross route 27 north of the High School. MDOT evaluates and rejects the proposed route.

*Selectmen vote to oppose alignment N8d, which would have run along the north village waterfront and disconnected the bridge from the village.

*The interagency group removes N6 from further consideration. N6 would have required the relocation of the Middle School.

*Selectmen hold a public meeting to discuss the June 11 referendum results and what steps Wiscasset should take next.

*Reacting to the vote, Commissioner Melrose withdraws from meeting with Wiscasset selectmen, and from further cooperation with Wiscasset. The following week he changes his mind.

*Routes N9, N2, N8c, and N6 are defeated in a non-binding referendum in Wiscasset inserted by petition initiated by the Midcoast Traffic Coalition. Non-build alternatives and comprehensive planning receive strong support.

*Commissioner Melrose holds public meeting at the High School in which he presents, as MDOT’s preferred alternative, a new less expensive in-town route (N8d) that would run along the north waterfront and tie in to the Davey Bridge. Main Street would be disconnected from the Davey Bridge.

*MDOT hosts an Interagency Group meeting with state and federal agencies where route N9 is removed from further consideration and route N2a is brought back for further consideration.

*Wiscasset Transportation Committee is appointed.

*Selectmen vote to disband the Bypass Review Committee.

*Melrose meets with the selectmen of Alna, Edgecomb, Wiscasset, and Woolwich at the Middle School. Melrose announces routes C1 and N5 have been removed from further consideration.

*MDOT issues Phase II Alternatives Screening Report.

*Bypass Review Committee sponsors a four-hour workshop at the high school gym. Breakout groups discuss and make recommendations on each route.

*Edgecomb Selectmen write to Melrose reneging on their February 8 agreement to consider N2, N8a, and N8b. Edgecomb will only consider a route touching down on Davis Island.

*Melrose attends a joint meeting with Wiscasset selectmen, Bypass Review committee and the Edgecomb selectmen to confirm the agreements of February 8, and to ask for an eight-week breathing space to refine the analysis of the build alternatives.

*Wiscasset selectmen ask Melrose to remove Routes C1 and N6 from further consideration.

*Wiscasset selectmen and Bypass Review Committee meet with Edgecomb selectmen. Edgecomb proposes route which MDOT will later designate N2f, and agrees to consider N2, N8a, and N8b and their variants. Also agreed that both the Sheepscot and the Davey bridges should be retained, and that the Route One/Route 27 intersection in Edgecomb must be part of a regional traffic solution.

*Selectmen appoint a Bypass Review Committee.

*Melrose attends a special selectmen’s meeting at Wiscasset High School to discuss the status of the study.

*PAC is disbanded and Melrose holds first meeting with the selectmen of Alna, Edgecomb, Wiscasset, and Woolwich in place of the PAC.

*Commissioner Melrose removes all southern routes from further consideration.

*Wiscasset selectmen and PAC members tell Melrose they support a southern rather than a northern bypass route.

*the PAC agrees to remove several routes from further consideration.

*Pedestrian refuge is removed and traffic lights are installed for a summer traffic trial including one-way streets.

*MDOT issues Alternatives Screening Report listing pros and cons of all routes being considered.

*A grass roots movement called "Save Edgecomb's Rural Community" collected 625 signatures (65% of Edgecomb voters) on a petition to protest a Wiscasset bypass through Edgecomb. The petition was forwarded to Governor King and Commissioner Melrose by Edgecomb selectmen stating "If a bypass is needed to solve the traffic congestion in Wiscasset, then the bypass should be constructed within the town of Wiscasset."

*State Planning Director Evan Rickert speaks to the PAC and says a controlled access bypass would not appreciably contribute to sprawl.

*Board of Selectmen adopts a formal position on the bypass issue calling for a Damariscotta-like bypass, which keeps the Davey Bridge.

*Second bypass referendum in Wiscasset and six other Lincoln County towns shows overwhelming support for a bypass. Commissioner Melrose announces he has decided not to stop the study.

*Second Public Scoping hearing is held at the Wiscasset Middle School to take input on the revised P&N statement.

*PAC agrees on a revised Purpose and Need statement.

*Parking in downtown Wiscasset was converted to diagonal, and a pedestrian refuge and barrier were placed in the center of Main Street.

*First Public Scoping hearing at the Middle School Gym to take input on the P&N statement.

*Name is changed from Wiscasset Bypass Study to Wiscasset Route One Corridor Study.

*Purpose and Need statement for a Wiscasset bypass is drafted.

*New Sagadahoc Bridge opens. Route One in Woolwich is widened from four to five lanes. Wiscasset congestion worsens.

*Wiscasset Bypass Study Public Advisory Committee begins monthly meetings.

*Commissioner of Transportation admits the Wiscasset study is six months behind schedule, but believes a corridor can be selected and an environmental impact analysis completed by July 2001.

*Wiscasset bypass location study initiated with aerial photography of Wiscasset area.

*Construction starts on the replacement for the Carlton Bridge between Bath and Woolwich.

*Due to strong public opposition MDOT cancels trial to determine the effectiveness of changeable message signs on I-95 to reduce congestion in Wiscasset.

*The Legislature appropriates $500,000 to determine the best location for a Wiscasset bypass.

*Don Jones, Chairman of Midcoast RTAC, moderates a public hearing at the Middle School cafeteria on the MDOT Analysis of Alternatives for the Wiscasset Area Transportation Corridor.

*Midcoast RTAC endorses an MDOT analysis recommending building a Wiscasset bypass in conjunction with other non-road-building initiatives.

*The Midcoast RTAC recommended that the MDOT include funding for preconstruction engineering for a Wiscasset bypass in the 1998-99 Transportation budget.

*The Midcoast Regional Transportation Advisory Committee, which was created as a result of the Sensible Transportation Policy Act, identified Wiscasset congestion as a major transportation problem.

*Completion of a half million dollar study of ways to reduce Route One congestion without road construction. The study found that no significant improvement could be made in Wiscasset without highway construction.

*MDOT selected a Pennsylvania engineering firm to prepare what would have become the third Wiscasset bypass study. This contract was canceled after the Sensible Transportation Policy Act was passed at referendum in November 1991, calling for reduced highway construction.

*Non-binding referendum in Wiscasset and seven other Lincoln County towns shows overwhelming support for a Wiscasset bypass.

*Route One through Woolwich village was widened to four lanes, and the traffic light at the Woolwich end of the Carlton Bridge was replaced with a cloverleaf intersection.

The Wiscasset-Edgecomb bridge is named the Donald Davey bridge in memory of Police Officer Donald Davey who was killed that year.

*New Wiscasset-Edgecomb bridge completed.

*A second bypass study focusing on three northern routes was cut short when the Wiscasset Bridge was found to be severely deteriorated. The Maine Department of Transportation banned vehicles over 17 tons and began emergency replacement of the bridge. Trucks were routed north to Sheepscot village to cross the river.

*Completion of the Cowseagan Narrows Bridge to Westport Island. Paid for by Maine Yankee Atomic Power Co. to increase the flow of water through Back River, it was designed and built to constitute one of the two bridges needed for the southern bypass route.

*Wiscasset village listed on the National Historic Register.

*Completion of preliminary engineering and environmental impact study of one southern, one northern and one central bypass corridor.

*As a result of a petition from residents of Wiscasset, funds were authorized to complete the unfinished engineering study begun in 1967.

*Nobleboro segment of Route One was rebuilt and relocated creating the Nobleboro bypass.

*At the request of the Wiscasset Planning Board, the State Highway Commission began a preliminary engineering study for a bypass.

*The Newcastle-Damariscotta bypass was completed.

*Edgecomb segment from the Wiscasset Bridge to Newcastle was rebuilt and relocated.

*Master Plan for Wiscasset prepared by Wright and Pierce of Topsham with town, state, and federal funds called for a northerly bypass

*Woolwich segment from the Carlton Bridge to the Wiscasset town line was rebuilt and relocated.

*1955-1970 Route One between Bath and Waldoboro was almost entirely rebuilt and relocated except in Wiscasset .