What shape an east-west highway takes and where, precisely, it goes can make a huge difference in whether it is just another road or becomes an avenue of economic growth. The state’s proposal to assess the various ideas for the highway is an encouraging start to what should become the road to opportunity.

The Maine Department of Transportation recently announced its plans to spend $600,000 on the East-West Highway project, depending on the approval of the Legislature. The plan would use $200,000 to study and develop a plan for moving the highway through the Bangor-Brewer area; another $200,000 for development between Newport and Norridgewock; and a third $200,000 to make a comprehensive study of the economic affect of the proposed highway.

Everyone with an interest in seeing this highway stretch across the state has an idea of how it should be developed. But everyone, at this point, is also guessing about the type of highway — four-lane, two-lane with long and frequent passing zones, restricted access, unrestricted — and its specific location. The DOT’s proposal can answer some of those questions and explain to lawmakers why this road is so necessary.

Of serious concern is that the East-West Highway does not drain funds from other major state roads. That was never the intention of its supporters, who already have gotten commitments of support from Maine’s congressional delegation to help find additional federal funding. State contributions are expected to be spread out over the long life of this project and not diverted from other major roads in need of repair.

DOT’s support for this project is essential to its success, but the department depends on guidance from the Legislature. So far, the message from the State House has been less than clear. DOT ultimately must recommend which path to take across the state. What it needs now from lawmakers is a firm agreement to at least study the issue in depth and identify the state’s options.

Gov. King suggested recently that Canada contribute to the road’s construction, considering it would help Canadians crossing between Quebec and New Brunswick provinces. He also wouldn’t rule out making parts of it a toll road. Certainly, he is not committing the state to any single course, but he is accurately saying that Maine should think about the possibilities the highway offers. The more ideas early on in the process, the better.

But none of this can happen unless legislators support the DOT in its effort to determine the economic effects of the current proposals. To do that, legislators need to approve $600,000 to begin the process. That money should be in the supplemental budget.