The Maine Turnpike Authority intends to focus on the miles north of Portland for the next 10 years.

The turnpike will be easier to navigate and it will be easier to pay tolls. Not cheaper, but easier.

Good.

The Turnpike Authority has long — and correctly — been criticized for focusing on its holdings in southern Maine. Since there’s more traffic there, resulting in more congestion and more accidents, it’s a natural leaning. But central and northern Maine depend on the turnpike, too.

Next year, all turnpike exits will be re-numbered as mile markers. Instead of Exit 12 in Auburn, the exit will be 75, which is the number of miles from the point I-95 crosses into Maine from New Hampshire. The new numbering system will more closely match how other highways across the land are configured. And, it will erase the mystery of the sudden jump in exit numbers — without corresponding physical exits — between Lewiston and Augusta, from 13 to 30.

More importantly, though, Maine will join eight other states on the EZ Pass in 2004. That means someone driving from New York to Maine will be able to use their EZ Pass to pay tolls along the entire route. Right now, an EZ-Pass-carrying New Yorker has to stop and present money at Maine tolls. Switching to the common pass will ease congestion at our tollbooths, which is better for visitors and Mainers alike.

The changes the Maine Turnpike Authority has in store for us are good, and the pledge to focus on the road north of Portland welcome.


Take heart
For a moment, think back on your favorite outing with your mother, your sister, your daughter, your girlfriend, your wife. Now, imagine that outing without that woman. It changes everything.

That’s what cardiovascular disease does.

It changes everything through disability and death.

Next Thursday evening, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center is hosting “a frank discussion on heart health for women.” Last week, Central Maine Medical Center launched its new Women’s Heart Advantage Program and hosted a Saturday morning conference devoted to raising women’s awareness about the danger of heart disease.

Both hospitals take this health threat seriously and we hope women in Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding communities take note and participate in their programs.

Since 1984, heart disease has been the No. 1 killer of women. Traditionally thought of as a man’s disease, heart disease now kills more women than men and too many women are unaware of the danger.

February is Heart Month, so designated by the American Heart Association to promote awareness about this deadly disease.

While it’s good to learn all we can this month, preventing heart disease is not a 28-day project. It takes constant attention throughout the year, every year.

We encourage women, and the people who love them, to contact St. Mary’s and CMMC and find out about upcoming blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, learn about the warning signs of heart disease and find out what kind of prevention and treatment options are available to local patients. These hospitals have multiple programs available in the Twin Cities and the greater tri-county area and are eager to help.


jmeyer@sunjournal.com

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