As the cities of Lewiston and Auburn continue along their increasingly successful path of economic development, the natural consequence will be increased traffic in the adjoining downtowns.

Sitting in traffic can be frustrating, but knowing local traffic patterns are clogging up because the cities are becoming more attractive to business takes the sting out of the wait behind the wheel.

Last Wednesday, there was an opportunity for people to talk about the increasing traffic and what the cities can do to ease the flow. That conversation will continue next Thursday and will be the foundation of a traffic study of the Androscoggin Transportation Resource Center.

The study will look at motorized and pedestrian traffic, and consider how people get around now and what may be practical in the future. The work is essential in planning the most inviting traffic flow as the cities’ redevelopment continues. We encourage people who live, work and recreate downtown to participate in the process.

The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, at Auburn Hall.