BOOTHBAY (NEWS CENTER Maine) — A multi-million dollar roundabout project in Boothbay is near completion.
The project is still dividing the coastal community due to the developer who spent millions to get it built.
Construction on the Route 27 development project has been underway since last year, causing lots of headaches for drivers. The $3.5 million project connects the road around the town common and into Boothbay Harbor.
Some motorist says it's worth putting up with the construction because it replaces a dangerous intersection. Others say the roundabout is not needed and benefits developer Paul Couloumbe.
Couloumbe invested tens of millions redeveloping various properties, including the Boothbay Harbor Country Club — the roundabout connects to the back entrance. Couloumbe says the project is needed to improve safety and breath new life into an aging community.
"It's going to do wonders to attract new tourists," Couloumbe said, "have people move to the community have young people move here, we have the oldest median age in the United States."
The project is expected to be completed in the next two weeks, possibly in time for the WIndjammers Days Festival. The week-long event kicks off June 24 and brings tens of thousands of visitors to the Boothbay peninsula.