Even more confounding than the Maine Turnpike Authority’s decision to close I-295 south between Gardiner and Topsham during the early days of summer tourist season is the notion that a rural byway, Route 201, is a viable option for travelers.

Few living along Route 201 are happy with this decision, and they are justified. Even fewer of Maine’s roads with triple-digit designations are adequate to handle the summertime traffic of an interstate highway.

Even more strange, however, is the consideration of Route 201 when the eastern seaboard’s major interstate, I-95, is ready, available and accessible. There is no doubt I-95 can handle I-295’s overflow.

The furor over Route 201 is seemingly more evidence about the backwater approach toward the stretch of I-95 north of Portland into Gardiner, which is the primary highway access to Maine’s second largest population center, Lewiston-Auburn.

Inequity in tolling prices between I-95 and I-295 are well-known. Lewiston to Augusta costs $1 on I-95, while Augusta to Portland costs 60 cents. And the juncture of I-295 and I-95 in West Gardiner will be the site of a new rest area.

Now comes this closure starting Monday, which could have been an economic boon to those communities along I-95, instead of a headache to those around Route 201. There are shaky arguments being made about the benefit to a few rural towns, not a major service center.

There is plenty wrong with Lewiston-Auburn’s turnpike access. Years ago, the decision was made to build ramps on outer Lisbon Street in Lewiston (Exit 80) and in the Danville section of Auburn (Exit 75). The cities’ centers were effectively cut off from traffic.

Good reasons for this construction probably existed at the time, but today they seem terribly shortsighted. It is more than arguable that the Lewiston-Auburn economy has been harmed because of this infrastructure error.

A proposed turnpike exit to service downtown has long been proposed, but suffers the same malady that infects so many Maine transportation projects: a lack of funds.

Although a downtown exit is sorely needed, there are plenty of existing pieces of infrastructure that need help, before any new parts are constructed. Even the most self-interested types should admit shoring bridges is more important than building new exits.

Stranger still is the clear economic benefit to the Maine Turnpike Authority that I-295’s closure will bring. Down East magazine, this month, reported the MTA is anticipating an additional $900,000 in revenue from the closure, due to increased traffic on I-95.

Given the MTA’s well-publicized largesse on dinners and travel, we hope they spend this extra money wisely.

We also hope they remember where it came from.