The number of viable Interstate 395-Route 9 connector road alternatives the Department of Transportation is willing to retain for further study dropped to two in a meeting recently. This was announced moments after the towns that would be affected had presented their town comprehensive plans to the DOT and the public. The town of Holden’s plan is comprised of three basic elements:

One, to preserve its rural character. Two, to maintain a sense of community through undivided neighborhoods, undeveloped land used by wildlife and for outdoor recreational opportunities, and development of a village center. And three, to attract and promote commercial business and manage growth along the Route 1A corridor. The two alternatives that the MDOT have chosen completely ignore all three aspects of Holden’s comprehensive plan.

Holden, after lengthy and intensive research, had proposed Option 1-4B, which would be an upgrade of Route 1A with a partial or full bypass of Route 46. This option would best serve our town and its comprehensive plan. The MDOT has chosen to take this alternative off the map because it does not meet their “needs” for an east-west limited-access, high-speed highway. Maybe it’s time to redefine those “needs” which, if met, will mean the end of our rural Maine community character and a decline in economic development of our town.

Susan Dawes

Holden