Coiled Nautical Lines Make an Eye Catching Window Display at Anthropologie, 66 Pearl Street, Near Middle Street. The Lines Came from a Salvage Company in Wells. The Store’s Visual Artist Created the Display Which is Unique to the Portland Store.

By Carol McCracken  (Post # 2,598)

City Hall must have  received lots and lots of inquiries about the frustrating traffic messes in downtown Portland, because the city spokesperson issued a press release clarifying the situation. The Maine Department of Transportation is winding down its paving  projects, according to the press release.  It won’t come soon enough for retailers, restaurant owners/ employees and everyone who has  business in the area.

The paving on Commercial Street began on Friday, May 20 and is scheduled to be completed on Friday, May 27th.  Six of the piers on Commercial Street will not have vehicular access for the short-term on Tuesday, May 24th and on Wednesday, May 25th. (They are: Chandler’s Wharf, Custom House Wharf, Long Wharf, Maine State Pier, Maine Wharf, and Portland Pier.)  Hot asphalt will be poured during this time by the contractor.  That takes time to dry. Work will begin at sunrise to expedite the work.

The major paving activity of the Spring/Middle//Temple Street areas will be finished by Friday, June 3rd.

Saturday work is not expected unless it is necessary to stay on schedule.

The City urges drivers to use alternative routes including Forest Avenue, Deering Avenue and the Fore River Parkway for crossing the Casco Bay Bridge to South Portland.

It’s not recommended by the City, but if you get entirely fed-up by the tedious waits, just lean on the horn for a minute.  It does speed up traffic considerably, mhn.com has learned!