RICHMOND -- A state proposal to shut down both southbound lanes of Interstate 295 between Gardiner and Topsham and divert traffic onto other roads through Richmond, Bowdoin and Bowdoinham this summer will be the subject of a regional informational meeting Wednesday.

The state Department of Transportation is proposing to shut down both southbound lanes of Interstate 295 between Gardiner and Topsham for part of this summer in order to reconstruct the busy road.

A regional informational meeting is planned Wednesday in the cafeteria at Richmond High School on Main Street in Richmond, at 6 p.m. Representatives from the DOT are expected to attend.

DOT officials said shutting down that part of the highway is their preferred option for completing the reconstruction. They said banning traffic would increase safety and greatly reduce the amount of time it would take to finish.

Motorists traveling south through the area to other parts of the state would be encouraged to take the Maine Turnpike. But for anyone traveling locally, that's not an option.

So the closure could push heavy volumes of traffic onto other, lesser roads through many local communities. Much of the traffic would be rerouted to the two-lane U.S. Route 201.

"It could impact local businesses and there are some serious safety issues" on Route 201, said Richmond Selectman Seth Goodall. "And other roads will see increased use, as well. It's important people hear the proposal and have the opportunity to ask questions."

DOT officials said closing the southbound lanes could reduce the time it would take to rebuild the 22 miles of the interstate -- from three years of construction to three months, according to Goodall. It would also reduce the project cost and improve safety for construction workers.

The state estimates the cost of rebuilding the double-lane highway at $32 million.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com