WINDHAM – A few new details about the upcoming reconstruction of River Road, including the likely placement of a roundabout at Windham Center Road, were unveiled at a public hearing hosted by the Maine Department of Transportation at the Windham Town Hall Wednesday night.

Most of the 60 or so residents who attended lived on or near the busy commuter roadway, which has received $6 million in funding for a widening project likely to begin in 2013.

Prompted by questions from the audience, state transportation officials Ernie Martin and Ben Martin detailed the project.

• While the project scope previously was slated to run from Route 202 to Route 302, Ernie Martin said the southernmost stretch, from Gambo Road to Route 202, as well as the northern section, from Page Road to Route 302, won’t participate in reconstruction since the roadways are in good shape with recent paving.

• Ernie Martin said the design of the northern half is 30 percent complete. The schematic was posted on a wall for attendees to view. A digital copy will be posted on the town’s website, windhamweb.com.

• Regarding right-of-way issues, Ernie Martin said the road is 4 rods wide, or 66 feet. The road now takes up 32 feet of the width. He said the road won’t be widened to the scale of Route 302, but roadside residents should expect crews to remove roadside bushes and trees. Crews will also likely move utility poles to accommodate new drainage basins and culverts. Those with septic systems close to the road should consult with Martin this summer, he said. He can be reached at 624-3381 or ernest.martin@maine.gov.

• The wall map showed several hilltops being shaved and some dips being raised. Ben Martin noted that the roadway in the flat section near the Windham Center Road intersection will be raised to alleviate drainage issues in the low-lying, flood-prone area. The section between Laskey Road and Gambo Road, which features a significant dip and hill with poor sight distances, will be targeted for overall improvement as well. The small hill just north of Covered Bridge Road will be leveled.

• The project will be completed faster than usual thanks to a new machine the state is using that “pulverizes” and reuses existing asphalt. Ben Martin said a convoy of machines chews up 6 inches of asphalt and then adds a 3-inch top layer of new asphalt. The mostly recycled pavement provides a 9-inch road surface and is more cost effective than using all-new asphalt.

• The Windham Center Road intersection will likely become a roundabout, although the final decision won’t be made until further designs take place. The flat, straight stretch near the intersection will likely mean drivers will speed, officials said, especially when a new, wider road is in place. A single-lane roundabout, similar to that used at the intersection of Mosher Road and Route 202 in Gorham, would cut down on that speeding and improve the safety of the intersection, which has a high crash count, according to Ben Martin. A signalized intersection is not expected since traffic count studies on Windham Center Road didn’t warrant a light.

• Regarding the lower half of River Road, from Route 202 to the Westbrook line, Ernie Martin told residents the project is a “viable candidate” and “high priority for the department” for the 2014-2015 budget, but is not included in the current project. He said DOT is already designing plans for the lower half of River Road in anticipation of funding by the Maine Legislature.

Public comment ran the gamut.

Kevin King asked whether the Portland Water District, which pipes drinking water to several homes in the corridor, could run pipe along the entire roadway during construction. The officials said residents would have to address that question to the district.

Bill Thompson asked about the location of catch basins and culverts.

Carla LaRoche asked about Deadman’s Curve, located just south of Covered Bridge Road. Ernie Martin said the incline of the corner will be improved but won’t be straightened since studies indicate the corner is suitable for the speed limit.

LaRoche’s husband, Paul LaRoche, asked about the ledge near Laskey Road. According to Ernie Martin, the ledge will probably be cut down to improve sight distance.

Michael Greene asked about guardrails. Martin said existing guardrails would be replaced, but that their use would be limited along the corridor.

Windham residents check out a map detailing River Road after the public hearing on Wednesday at the Windham Town Hall.