No accidents have been reported tonight in the greater Augusta area.

Do you regularly rely on car or van pooling to get to work in the mornings or evenings? If so, let us know. Drop a line to me at: mmalloy@centralmaine.com or call 623-3811 ext. 431.

No traffic accidents have been reported in the greater Augusta area for the commute home.

Use caution, however, if you're working a late shift. The National Weather Service is projecting intermittent rain showers for the rest of the night (and week), which could mean slick streets.

Also be mindful of several minor road projects around the Augusta area, including upper Western Avenue, and Route 3 when you take the southbound bound ramp off I-95 at Exit 113.

It’ll be a quiet commute home tonight. No vehicle accidents have been reported in the Greater Augusta Area.

Gas prices in Maine have been creeping up steadily, but they’re even higher in some of our fellow New England states, including one state that is boasting over $3.90 per gallon. Check out Monday’s Kennebec Commuter column to see which state it is, and how you can get money back in your pocket and save wear and tear on your car.

Crews were out on the roads today freshening up traffic lines that faded away during the long winter. While the crews may have slightly tied up traffic in some areas, the benefits will be evident in the form of more easily navigable roadways.

Enjoy the commute home with the coat of fresh paint. No area accidents appear to be snagging the traffic flow.

-MS

The northbound mile on the Turnpike between Augusta and Hallowell has reopened, turnpike officials said.

The mile-long stretch, between mile markers 108 and 109, was closed today for culvert work. Crews reopened it at 3 p.m., just in time for the afternoon commute.

No traffic accidents have been reported for the afternoon.

Drivers who use the interstate between Waterville and Sidney to travel daily will need to find an alternative route if heading south on I-95 this week.

The southbound lanes, from mile maker 130 to 118, shut down this morning for Maine Department of Transportation crews to start paving the stretch of road, officials said in a release this morning.

The lanes will reopen Saturday night at 8 p.m.

In the meantime, no major traffic-hindering vehicle accidents have been reported this afternoon.

Today is looking like an easy commute home (unless you park behind The Wharf in Hallowell or behind the Water Street buildings in Augusta). No accidents have been reported by local law enforcement this afternoon.

The flood waters are starting to recede slowly but surely. We're still looking for folks whose vehicles may have sustained flood damage, particularly folks from Hallowell.

Call 623-3811, Ext. 431 or e-mail mmalloy@centralmaine.com if you have a story to tell.

Today's evening commute should be quiet, according to area law enforcement agencies. No accidents have been reported.

For those in West Gardiner, be prepared for work crews to resume work on Route 126 Monday morning, as they prepare to lay pipes for the new toll service plaza.

Finally, Maine State Police are still trying to pick up the pieces of a Windsor accident which killed Shawn Ferguson, a 42 year-old man from Whitefield. Hours later, officials were in Leeds on Route 126 at an accident which killed Diane Heald, 56, of Monmouth. No charges have been filed in either accident.

It'll be a quiet commute (unless you're on I-95 going from Waterville to Sidney).

No traffic accidents have been reported by area-law enforcement agencies.

This week is expected to be beautiful. Warm temperature, sunny skies, and hopes of ditching the car and taking alternative transportation to work, like a bicycle.

Do you take to bike riding in the spring? What are you concerns about motorists? Drop us a line at 623-3811 ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com to sound off.

A streak of clear weather could be coming to an end tonight, according to the National Weather Service, but not early enough to disrupt the commute home.

Forecasters are talking about "a slight chance of rain" in the late afternoon. The worse weather — rain and maybe, dare I say, snow — could be in the offing tonight.

For now, the commute home appears clear. Enjoy the weekend.

-Matt Stone

Meghan Malloy is on vacation.

April showers bring May flowers....and snow.

The commute might be slick tonight from what meteorologists like to call “wintry mix” (rain and snow).

What a beautiful spring day!

Enjoy the commute home tonight. It is reportedly accident-free in the greater Augusta community.

Although springtime is reluctantly coming to Maine, the emergence of our forest friends - particularly deer - presents a commuting hazard. We're still looking for folks to share their experiences if they have been unfortunate enough to be involved in a deer-vs.-car accident.

Drop a line at 623-3811 ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com

No traffic accidents were reported for the drive home by area law-enforcement agencies.

A dispatcher from the central regional communications center said a property damage accident that happened in the county in the early afternoon has been cleared and no injuries were reported.

Despite the many central Mainers waking up to a new blanket of snow, area law-enforcement officials were happy to report drivers were taking it easy on the roads.

An Augusta police dispatcher said as of 4:30 p.m., no traffic accidents had been reported. A dispatcher at the regional communication center said they were unaware of any "major (accidents) happening at this time.”

No accidents have been reported for the commute home, according to several area law-enforcement agencies.

Hopefully, we've seen winter's last hurrah. But with the coming of spring comes more than posted roads -- the emergence of our forest friends, especially deer.

Drop me a line at 623-3811 Ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com if you have had an unfortunate car-versus-deer experience.

No traffic accidents have been reported in the greater Augusta area, though residents in Litchfield who take Route 197 past Kennedy Lane may run into delays; a structure fire in the neighborhood has been reported.

Springtime can bring flowers -- and floods. After the snowfall accumulations for central Maine continued to climb, so did a valid concern of area flooding for many riverside communities, such as Augusta, Hallowell and Gardiner. Do you have concerns how springtime flooding may impact your commute -- or worse, your home or vehicle? Drop me a line at 623-3811 Ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com

Loyal readers who caught today's column on the roller coaster ride that Route 24 has evolved into due to the winter's freeze and thaw cycles may want to check out a meeting the town of Richmond is planning to hold Wednesday night to discuss the proposed detour on Route 201 when I-295 closes over the summer for work.

Tomorrow's morning commute looks slick and icy.

The National Weather Service is projecting central Maine to receive up to three inches of wintry precipitation overnight, with additional freezing rain showers tomorrow morning before 10 a.m.

Tonight's commute looks like an easy one. One accident in Unity Township was reported by the Maine State Police. No other accidents from area law-enforcement agencies were reported.

The Kennebec Commuter is still looking for snowfall totals from this winter in your community. How has the seemingly never-ending snow impacted your commute to work, school or play? Has your community been diligent in keeping the roads clear and safe?

Drop me a line at 623-3811 Ext. 431 or mmalloy@centralmaine.com and tell me how your town is ensuring residents' safe commute this winter.

Tonight's commute in Augusta and Kennebec County is clear of accidents, according to the Augusta Police Department and the regional communications center.

To see the ice melt off the trees was a welcome sight today. With sunny skies and above-freezing temperatures, much of the ice from this week’s storms became a memory as it melted into rivers in the streets.

However, with below-freezing temperatures projected for the weekend, streets could turn slick and weekend adventuring should be done so with caution.

No accidents have been reported for the commute home tonight.

No one was seriously injured in an early morning collision in Augusta which injured three people.

Rescue crews were called to Route 3 in Bolton Hill around 8 a.m. to respond to a three car collision. Dave Groder, who was shift chief of the Augusta Fire Department at the time of the accident said one woman had to be extricated from her vehicle. The two other victims were also taken to a hospital for treatment.

"It was a pretty good collision," Groder said.

Though injuries were considered serious, they were not life-threatening, he said. He did not know the victims' names.

The commute home ought to be safer. Though no accidents have been reported, dropping temperatures may freeze run-off and slush that has accumulated on city and county roads tonight.

One might think with today's weather — snow turning to sleet — vehicle accidents would litter city and country streets and roads.

On the contrary, Augusta police say.

“I saw a quote from the state police the other day and they were spot on: The bigger the storm, the more people tend to stay off the roads,” Augusta Police Sgt. Chris Massey said.

Expect an easy commute home tonight; streets and roads in Augusta and Kennebec County are reportedly clear of traffic accidents, area law enforcement said.

Do you have a traffic rant? What do you feel the Kennebec Journal should be looking into?

We're looking for any and all traffic scoops, tips, rants, or reports. Call reporter Meghan V. Malloy at 623-3811 ext. 431, or send an e-mail to mmalloy@centralmaine.com

Use caution on the roads tonight driving home, as the National Weather Service is predicting some chance snowfall with below freezing temperatures.

The snow, though only a dusting is expected, will continue into the night.

The roads right now according to multiple area law enforcement agencies are clear and free of accidents.

We talked last week about how unnecessary speeding can eat up more gasoline from your tank.

Our friends at www.fueleconomy.gov have released a study suggesting that a such a small percentage of the gas we put in our tanks actually goes to driving, it’s a wonder we’re not all running on fumes trying to rush from place to place.

The study said only 15 percent of a full gas tank is used by the vehicle to actually get from place to place. Where’s the other 85 percent? The answers may surprise you...

• Engine losses — chemical energy that cannot be converted to mechanical energy, lost due to engine friction and wasted heat: 62.4 percent

• Idling Losses — sitting in city traffic: 17.2 percent

• Accessories — running the air conditioning, power steering or radio: 2.2 percent

• Driveline Losses — energy that is lost in your transmission: 5.6 percent

• Aerodynamic Drag — energy used to push air out of the way so the vehicle can slow down or speed up: 2.6 percent

• Rolling Resistance — the measure of force used to move your tires forward in proportion to the weight on the tire: 4.2 percent

• Overcoming Inertia and Braking Losses: energy used to physically move your vehicle forward: 5.8 percent

Are you a safe driver?

Sure, we all seem to think that we are the only driver on the roads who isn’t a maniac or crazy behind the wheel. But is that really the case?

The good folks at AAA have instituted a “safe driving” quiz on their Web site, partly due to information they say they’ve garned in national polls which suggest drivers ages 26 to 44 admit to exhibiting the most dangerous habits.

Click here for the quiz

Most drivers in and around Augusta seem to be driving safely, and several law enforcement agencies have reported no major traffic accidents for the commute home.

What a difference a week makes.

A week ago, we were bundling up against the cold snap. Today was practically unseasonable for January in Maine, with temperatures reaching into the 40’s (in fact, the National Weather Service is predicting temperatures as high as 47 degrees tomorrow!).

A colleage of mine came in from lunch in a bit of a huff.

Trying to merge onto Western Avenue from the airport, she said, was a nightmare. The snowbank was so high, it was difficult to look for oncoming traffic. Snowbanks are starting to accumulate down by the rotaries and along other main drags through town, making it difficult to look for traffic at certain intersections or impossible to walk on sidewalks.

Fear not, Augusta Public Works Director John Charest said. The city is doing all they can to ease the pileup.

“I had crews out last night and will continue to have them haul the snow away,” Charest said. “By the middle of next week, there will be no snow on Western Avenue.”

Even if the roads aren’t clear of snow, they are clear of accidents for the ride home, according to local law-enforcement agencies.

The next time you’re late, you might want to think twice about speeding to get there.

According to the Consumer Energy Center, excess speeding is the biggest gasoline waster.

As your speed increases over 55 mph, gas mileage on your vehicle generally starts to decrease. With gas and diesel prices the way they are currently, who wants to spend more money at the pump?

In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that for every five mph you drive over 60, the cost can be as much as $.21 per gallon at $3 per gallon.

And there should be no need to hurry home tonight from work. Area law enforcement agencies have reported clear roads and no accidents.

Things remain quiet on Kennebec County roads, local law enforcement agencies said today.

No traffic accidents have been reported, making for an easy commute home for those unlucky enough to work the day after Christmas.

Earlier today, a Waterville man was injured when his car went into an embankment and rolled over near Sidney. The accident, which sent George Smith, 59, to MaineGeneral Medical Center in Waterville, has since been cleared.

Few accidents occurred over the holiday in the county, though other parts of the state were not so lucky. At least four people, including an 18 year-old Winterport man, were killed in vehicle accidents over the holiday weekend.

Checkbook still hurting from buying Christmas gifts? Check out these gas stations to save at the pump:

$3.03 — Flaherty’s Garage, 770 U.S. Rte 202 in Monmouth

$3.07 — Country Store, Route 126 in Litchfield

$3.07 — at Main and Royal streets in Winthrop

This weekend, millions of Americans will take to the roads and skies to see loved ones for Christmas. As with any high-traffic holiday, safety behind the wheel is important.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration gives the following tips to ensure safe traveling before you leave and while you’re driving:

Traveling down the Maine Turnpike for the holidays? Have a long commute that requires you to use Interstate 95 daily?

Check out a useful feature from the Maine Turnpike Authority. The Web site, www.maineturnpike.com, has been outfitted with cameras along the pike that can stream images to your home or work computer to check out what’s going on before you hit the road.

Simply log on and click on “Turnpike Traffic Cams” on the left side of the screen. Click the camera of your choice and an image with real-time traffic pops up. The image will reload every 60 seconds to keep up with changing traffic.

In our neighborhood, the commute home is looking rather smooth. No vehicle accidents have been reported to the Augusta Police Department or the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office as of 4 p.m.

Though Augusta police have reported a three-car fender bender on Western Avenue, dispatch officials said the accident is not hindering rush-hour traffic, and no one has been seriously hurt.

The accident is at the site of where a more serious accident occurred yesterday around the same time, on Western Avenue and Senator Way in the eastbound lanes by Damon’s.

Dispatch officials said no one is hurt and traffic will not be tied up.

Crews paving eastbound Western Avenue at the Irving gas station in Augusta have quit for the day.

The Augusta Police Department did not report any vehicle accidents. Kennebec County Sheriff's officials were called to a minor accident in Albion; dispatchers said there were no injuries and only minor damage.

Augusta police are investigating a crash involving at least three vehicles, including a school bus.

The accident happened at 3:20 p.m. at the corner of State and Capitol streets, a witness said in an e-mail to the Kennebec Journal. Two other vehicles with large dents in them were also found at the scene of the crash.

Folks traveling home this weekend after enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends should have exceptional flying and driving conditions over the weekend.

Most people are thinking of turkey, stuffing and pie this weekend — not driving — as they travel to see friends and relatives.

The Maine State Police announced today they are using additional traffic enforcement over the weekend to ensure travelers drive safely.

Two major accidents in the Augusta area didn't seriously injure anyone and have been cleared, police said.

The first was a two-car crash before school started on Eastern Avenue and Cony Street. Dispatchers said the two cars, a sedan and a pickup truck, collided, resulting in the sedan becoming crunched like an accordion.

Witnesses believe both drivers were teenagers. Police said neither victim was injured.

Then, a rollover accident happened on Interstate 95 near Exit 112 later in the morning. That crash shut down passing lanes going both north and south for more than 30 minutes.

The driver, who apparently became distracted or fell asleep at the wheel, was not seriously injured.

Both accidents were cleared, and traffic for the drive home should be back to normal.

With sunny skies and unseasonable warmth in the capital city, it’s hard to believe several counties to the north are facing a winter storm warning tonight.

Luckily, it does not appear the storm will affect commuting today or weekend travel.

Clouds and rain are expected to roll into the Augusta area late tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Rain is expected all day Thursday.

Not ready to start driving in snow yet? We may see a few flakes Friday, though the National Weather Service expects the Augusta area to continue boasting higher-than-normal temperatures, with a high of 42.

Expect a clear commute tonight. Only three fender-benders were reported today to the Augusta Police Department, and none from the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office.

The ride home has had many bumps this week; one day is sunny and uneventful, the next is littered with car accidents and slick streets.

Fortunately, today is one of those uneventful days. The National Weather Service is reporting dry streets, partly cloudy skies, and above-freezing temperatures for the drive home, and into the evening.

No vehicle accidents have been reported to the Augusta Police Department or the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office as of 3 p.m.

Have a traffic snarl scoop or tip? Call me at 623-3811 Ext. 431.

After yesterday's dreary rain, tonight’s commute is shaping up to be much smoother.

No accidents were reported by the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office as of 4 p.m. today. The Augusta Police Department responded to a minor accident early in the day, dispatchers said.

Yesterday was a completely different story.

The slick roads caused quite a few accidents around the Augusta area, injuring drivers and passengers, and snarling traffic.

An accident last night in Winthrop injured seven people and kept traffic backed up for over an hour, Winthrop police Sgt. Dan Cook said

The three-vehicle accident happened around 5 p.m. yesterday when a car driven by Jacob Puliot, 17, of Augusta, collided with a truck driven by Ronald Cook of Monmouth. The cars were in the intersection of Route 202 and Stanley Hill Road.

Lt. Cook said authorities believe the collision happened when Puliot, who had three other passengers in the car, failed to yield.

Ronald Cook was unable to stop. His vehicle hit Puliot's, spun out of control, and struck another car driven by Julie Littlefield and Winthrop.

The seven people — Littlefield was alone and Ronald Cook had a passenger — were all treated for minor injuries, Lt. Cook said.

No charges have been filed, as the accident is still being investigated, Lt. Cook said, though he added, "I wouldn't say the weather had much to do with this (crash)."

One thing is certain by looking out the window, if you’re lucky to have one near your cubicle: it’s not a nice day to go for a drive.

Cold temperatures, constant rain, slick streets, and nightfall by quitting time could equal one nasty commute if you aren't careful.