I personally would like to thank you, the Turnpike Authority, for shutting down the one of the busiest commuter routes to Portland (Stroudwater bridge). Your decision impacts the whole community to the west of Portland more than you can possibly imagine. All you care about are the savings of a trifle ($400,000). You will cost the residents of the state much more in gas and productivity because we will have to seek other routes that will be heavily congested. You have impacted my business with additional gas expenditures and additional time to commute to Portland.
I commend you on your decision making skills. Close the bridge one day. Open it the next. Then close it again. It seems that you were sticking your moistened thumb up in the air to see which way the wind was blowing that particular day.
Lastly, you have buckled to the Portland side of the bridge’s wishes to have a dead-end road with no traffic for a year. It seems that they have had a large impact on your decision. Traffic would be backed up in their beloved neighborhood. Give me a break. They wouldn’t be able to get out of their driveways. Come on.
In my opinion, the Maine Department of Transportation should take over the Turnpike and abolish the self serving Turnpike Authority. You have shown over and over again that the Turnpike Authority is a dictatorship that answers to no one. You have no obligation to listen to the people’s desires to leave the Stroudwater bridge open one lane at the least. All you care about is your wishes and your agenda. Maybe the good citizens west of Portland should start a petition to
do just that. What a good idea. Maybe that will change your opinion again. Stick your moistened finger up in the air again to see which way the wind is blowing today. It isn’t blowing in a favorable direction for you.
Michael and Lisa
Michael’s Limousine
43 Stroudwater St.
Westbrook
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