99dotter of Augusta, ME Tad, if the tolls are removed, then who pays to maintain the highway? Everyone, through higher gas taxes. With the tolls at least only the people who use it pay to maintain it.report abuse

cranky-yank of ME As with any project the state decides to do, regardless of the input from residents and consultants, this one is forging ahead and creating a headache and nightmare for those of us who live in the area.

There was no need to build this fnacy pants rest area as there was already one on the turnpike in Litchfield which, by the way Betty, happens to be BETWEEN Portland and Bangor. Now we have a monstrosity that is going to guarantee to create more headaches for local traffic in spite of a turn lane and a blinking yellow light.

It's understandable to have a rest area on the turnpike since one would normally have to pay a toll to get off and then have to deal with taking a ticket to get back on. Why, though, is a rest area needed at West Gardiner for I-295? Is this the MDOT and the legislatures's idea of pork for WG? A little better planning, too, and traffic wouldn'e even have had to exit onto 126 to get to the plaza. Maybe it's for the new toll gambit. Cars on the turnpike will have to pay at the Litchfield toll booth and then exit the 'pike. Then, when they try to head north, they'll get caught at the toll booth on the I295. Maybe that's the legislatures way of fixing the budget deficit.report abuse

Hotshot of Gardiner, ME I don't have an issue with the Turnpike Association having service centers on the turnpike, but why are they being allowed to set up shop in a West Gardiner location where they will likely be taking a large portion of business away from the local small business owners in the area. I, for one, will continue to patronize the local business owner, as long as they can stay open. If the Turnpike Authority wants to be a small business, they need to be held to the same rules as any other business and shouldn't have the same rights as State and Federal governments, like "Eminant Domain". If the Turnpike Authority wants to be a government type agency, then stay away from projects that negatively effect local businesses. Has anyone asked how much this little project is costing? It's no wonder the Turnpike Authority is already pleading poverty, I know that $1 million dollars was refused by the previous owner for just the land!report abuse

Nelson Donnell of West Gardiner, ME I can almost smell the coffee and fried chicken now.report abuse