The Midcoast Bypass Task Force took a vote not to oppose the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) recommended bypass route at their meeting June 26.

In a straw vote, members of the task force voted in favor of not opposing the route. They did not take a vote on which route they favored. Another vote is expected to be taken at the next meeting, July 24, according to consultant Carol Morris.

Task Force members from Edgecomb, Amanda Russell, and Jo Cameron, questioned the need for a vote, since the task force is only advisory. Morris said they did not have to take a vote, but if they could reach a consensus, it would make a difference in the decision to build a bypass.

"We need to make a decision on where it will be built," Morris said. "Who knows if and when it will be built. In the meantime folks need to know where it will be built so they can go on with their lives."

Earlier this month MDOT had narrowed the list of bypass routes down from five routes to three routes: N2h, N2f3, and N2a remain on the table for consideration.

At the June 26 meeting MDOT recommended that the bypass alternatives N2h and N2f-2 be removed from further consideration, leaving N2a still on the table.

N2a is the longest route, 4.8 miles, with the shortest bridge, and will cost less than the other options. It will begin on Route 1 near the NAPA auto parts store, and the old Bath Road, cross the Bradford Road, Churchill Street, Route 27, and Route 218.

However, according to Morris, adjustments will have to be made in Edgecomb as a result of the former Races Motor Court being declared eligible for the National Register of Historical Places; it is located at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 27. This means there can be no taking of the property or the buildings.

MDOT will meet with Edgecomb task force members before the next meeting of the task force to come up with alternatives for the intersection. These will be presented at the next task force meeting.

Although N2a will affect the Clark's Point subdivision now under construction, and Wiscasset depends on property taxes, Wiscasset Town Manager Arthur Faucher told the group, among the three routes being proposed N2a is probably the best route for Wiscasset.

Task Force member David King from Woolwich said, "I know that a bypass is going to benefit Woolwich. I believe the host communities should have the greatest say in it."

King asked, "We should ask ourselves, if ten years from now will there be a need for a bypass? I believe that people will be moving closer to town, people will have smaller cars, that use less gas, and there will be alterative transportation."

Wiscasset Task Force Member Donald Jones said the bypass isn't just for Wiscasset, but for the midcoast. Jones said he recalls a question asked of him by former MDOT Commissioner John Melrose, in Augusta, in 1996. "Where do you think the bypass should go"? Melrose asked. Jones said he answered, "The one we can agree on."

Morris said the fact a vote was taken not to oppose MDOT's recommended bypass route is a huge step forward.

The N8c route was not acceptable to Wiscasset due to the proximity to the town's historic district. N2-f1 was not acceptable to Edgecomb because it cuts off the Englebrekt Road neighborhood from the shore.

According to MDOT, "N2a is very strong in the environment ratings, and reasonably strong in the transportation ratings. While not as strong in the environmental area as MDOT would like, we are working to tweak the route so as to bring it to an acceptable level."

The cost to build the N2a bypass route is estimated to be around $68 million compared to $79 million for the N8c route, and $71 million for the N2-f1 route.