WELLS — As the Maine Department of Transportation finishes one project in Wells, another is set to start this spring.

“I think it’s just fabulous for the town,” said Town Manager Jane Duncan, in phone interview Tuesday.

Project Resident Clarence Baxter of the Department of Transportation said work is now complete to realign the intersection of Route 109 and Route 1 in Wells.

One utility pole has to be moved and landscaping will be discussed in the spring, but the construction portion is finished, he said.

The project included realigning and upgrading the intersection and signals where Route 109 and 1 meet. Sidewalks were also added on Route 1 heading north up to the Wells Congregational Church, and on the south side of Route 109 up to the town hall, Duncan said. The town paid for granite curbing on some extra sidewalk.

Shawn Smith of the Maine DOT said Wednesday the project cost just over $1 million in total. The intersection was paid for with state and federal funds, while the sidewalks were split, with 80 percent to be paid by the state and the remaining 20 percent to be covered by the town.

Duncan said the safety and ease of use should be much improved.

The Maine Department of Transportation has plans to work do additional work on Route 109 heading toward Sanford. The first part of the two-phase project is expected to begin in the spring and will start just after Meetinghouse Road on Route 109, extending just under two and a half miles.

DOT Project Manager Ernie Martin said Wednesday the project is expected to cost between $12-14 million with federal and state funds. Bids for the first phase will open Dec. 8 and should be awarded in January or February of next year, he said.

Construction will begin on that phase in the spring. The bid process for phase two will also begin in the spring and construction on both projects should be in full swing in August 2011. The entire project is expected to be completed in 2013.

Martin said the road is not built to today’s standards and needs to be upgraded. About 7,000 to 9,000 cars travel the route on a daily basis. After completion, it will have paved shoulders, improved sight distance and better drainage.

Construction is not going to stop for the summer, but Martin said there will be provisions in the construction contract to keep traffic moving.

— Associate Editor Robyn Burnham can be contacted at 282-1535, Ext. 329 or rburnham@journaltribune.com.