Toward the end of this month, crews from the Maine Department of Transportation will begin cutting more trees along Interstate 295 between Freeport and Yarmouth.

MDOT spokesman Ted Talbot said that unlike the clear cutting that took place along part of the interstate in Freeport last year, this will be a selective cut as part of a statewide program.

Talbot said the cutting will take place both north and southbound between mile markers 14 and 21.

In a dispute over what some saw as excessive cutting along the interstate, MDOT offered to pay Freeport $20,000 for revegetation and possible barriers to buffer noise and obstruct views of the interstate by residents.

During the clear cut, MDOT removed about 37 acres of trees along I-295 in a $205,000 project, causing an uproar from abutting Freeport residents who complained about the sudden exposure of their homes to the highway and the constant sound of traffic.

On Monday, Freeport Town Manager Peter Joseph said MDOT’s offer is set to go before the town council for approval on Aug. 2.

Joseph said the town was looking at selective planting of evergreens along affected neighborhoods. A barrier has been under consideration for the end of True Street, however, Joseph said that plan has been tabled for the moment amid concerns from residents nearest the interstate at the end of the street.

The town will be fully responsible for implementing the project, though MDOT will reimburse the town $20,000 to offset the cost, according to Joseph.

Joseph said that if the amount proposed is approved, replanting will likely take place between late August and early September.

Talbot said the reasons for the proposed selective cutting this year were all safety-related. First, the low angle of the sun in the wintertime makes for minimal exposure to the road surface — critical to melting snow and ice from the surface.

“We’ve also got to be sure that it’s safe for motorists if they pull over and, of course, you’ll want to be able to see animals that may be encroaching on the roadway,” Talbot said.

Cutting should be completed by late August and, according to Talbot, there will be no expected lane closures, just an occasional shoulder closure for vehicles and crews.

MDOT has already met with town officials from Freeport and Yarmouth and will soon be meeting with area residents that feel they could be affected by the cutting.

Maps outlining the project and areas affected will be available at both town offices as well as the MDOT regional office in Scarborough.

A release from MDOT stated that many motor fatalities in Maine are caused by vehicles leaving the roadway and striking a fixed object. It continued to say the number one fixed object along Maine roadways are trees.

According to MDOT, between June 26 and July 6 of this year, there have been five fatalities where motorists have struck trees.

dmcintire@timesrecord.com