SANFORD — State transportation officials want to know the public’s thoughts on a project to remove the traffic signal at the Marden’s plaza on Main Street (Route 109) and relocate it to Old Mill Road and Alumni Drive — the entrance to the new Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center.

Representatives of the Maine Department of Transportation will be at the City Council meeting on Tuesday evening, March 20, at 6 p.m., to listen to concerns, receive comments, and answer questions from anyone with an interest in the project. 

Brian Keezer, senior project manager at MDOT, on Monday said the project is nearing the final design.

If there is a need to make changes following public comment, there would be time to do so, he said.

Keezer estimated Sanford will assume about 25 percent of the cost of the project. He estimated the total price tag at slightly under $250,000.

Relocating the light means those who would normally take a left onto Main Street from the Marden’s Plaza at the current signal location would instead access Old Mill Road to get to the traffic signal. Those making a right on Main Street would still be able to use the current exit directly onto Main Street from the parking lot, Keezer said.

He said the goal is to complete the project before the new school opens for students this fall.

A separate but related project will see a spur road designed off Alumni Drive extending behind an auto parts store and a fast food restaurant. The spur would give those businesses access to the traffic signal at alumni drive, said Sanford Public Works engineer Mike Casserly.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.