What on Earth are Maine Turnpike Authority officials thinking? I live in Lewiston and I often go shopping at the Maine Mall in South Portland, then enjoy a nice dinner at one of many restaurants in the mall area.

MTA officials should realize that there are as many fine stores to shop in at the Marketplace mall in Augusta, and many fine restaurants there, also.

The kicker is that they are both approximately 30 miles from Lewiston and it doesn’t cost a cent in tolls to travel north to Augusta on Route 202 (a very nice road).

The Maine Mall and the MTA will be the losers in the foolish rate hike.

Fern Asselin, Lewiston