Last Wednesday, the Maine Department of Transportation (DOT) presented for abutter review and comment their Camden Route One North reconstruction and widening plan.

Given the scenic economic importance of this stretch, dialog is needed and appreciated. Many abutters offered comment at this forum. By meeting's end, red Sharpie covered the plan.

Underground drainage at Springbrook will now spare some property but vast stretches remain unchanged. Clear zones indicated in a confusing shade of verdant green led many to mistake large cut areas for spared trees and vegetation.

The lack of utility pole indication also caused confusion. The DOT told the Town of Camden that utility poles with alley arms will protect tree canopy; however, this only matters if specimen trees are spared. The most prominent trees will still be felled. A tree survey for this stretch must be a priority. Abutters appreciate that DOT will now take another look at utility pole placement.

The DOT's priority is to design structurally safe roads that move traffic and detour water. Seeing DOT's senior team with red Sharpies in hand, noting the other elements we need considered seems a positive step forward.

Before Wednesday, Project Manager Ernie Martin commented: "There will be no global changes made. We are now looking at individual properties to see if there are ways to tweak the design to accommodate the homeowners." (Working Waterfront, July 2017).

Tweaked design is performance engineering at work – a context-sensitive approach that aligns with Federal Highway Administration standards to create safer, more complete streets. This benefits all and saves money. Fix what is necessary and leave what works alone. Important structures and landscape are given design exemptions. A shoulder goes from 5 foot to 3 foot to spare something. Small changes of 100 feet or less would save a 150 year old oak, a stone wall, or the quiet enjoyment of one's home. Statistics prove tree-lined, curving, narrower streets are safer. Let's do that!

The DOT can employ context sensitive design as shown by its stonework preservation and stellar repair of Camden's Bakery Bridge. A decade ago, the High Street project also came together with similarly pleasing results but it took constant community pressure.

Early this year, Maine Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt stated: "The department prides itself on working closely with these residents, hearing their concerns, and working through any problems that might arise" (The Lincoln County News, February 2017).

To read this, to see it in action at the forum, is great. Recognizing and preserving the economic importance of this scenic stretch would be even greater. This byway is, after all, "Where the Mountains Meet the Sea." For that to happen our community must pay attention, show up, and voice concern. Please do so now by sharing your concerns with the DOT and the Town of Camden Select Board.

Jenny Simon lives in Camden