RTE 196

Responding to the contributor regarding the condition of our local major and only way to go East/west or west/east on a direct basis to Lewiston, Brunswick, etc.  Consider what Lewiston did from the Lisbon/Lewiston line to the Maine turnpike  access.  I commuted that road for 30+ years and can remember the delays encountered when , with mostly State and Federal funds, 196 was expanded from 2 to 4 lanes and I was happy to wait.  The result was the flow of traffic coming from BIW, Liberty Mutual, Phillips Elmet , worked beyond expectations.  Drive slowly in the right lane? fine. Passing was allowed, no problem.  In winter, the 4 wheel drivers could go right past us.  Wonderful!  then? with Funds I can't believe were nothing but Lewiston's own, they changed to a 3 lane road?  some information indicated it was to make traffic easier to drive into businesses along that stretch?  It wasn't easier with 4 lanes? was it to aid the new "all purpose Service station" under construction?   Now! BIW traffic goes slowly through, Liberty Mutual and Elmet the same. what a waste.  I can't tell you how many times I've been passed , when your not expecting it, from that middle lane.  


Andy Riordan, Lisbon Falls