HOWLAND – The Maine Department of Transportation is seeking public input about a plan to change the routing of state Route 116 in Howland, Mattamiscontis Township and Chester.

The part of state Route 116 that runs between Howland and the Lincoln Connector in Chester is not under the care of the state. The change would give the state responsibility for maintenance of the road. If the DOT proceeds with the plan, the Route 116 designation would be removed from the roadway. The new designation would have Route 116 follow Route 6 east across the Penobscot River in Howland to U.S. Route 2 in Enfield, then follow Route 2/6 north to the Lincoln Connector, then west along the Lincoln Connector to rejoin the existing Route 116 in Chester.

The plan is still open to comment from the public. Comments may be submitted in writing to Maine DOT at 16 State House Station, Augusta 04333 by Nov. 21. Calls can also be made to Maine DOT’s Bureau of Planning at 624-3270.