Lincolnville — Ditch and under-drain work were to blame for a traffic back-up on Belfast Road near the Lincolnville/Camden line on Monday, Oct. 22, according to Maine Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Ted Talbot.

Portable traffic lights were used to direct traffic on a stretch of road that was reduced to a single lane with some drivers reportedly experiencing waits of more than 15 minutes at midday. Talbot said workers were looking into "adjusting" the traffic signals to facilitate a smoother flow of traffic through the work areas.

Talbot said the roadwork is expected to extend through Wednesday, Oct. 23. Crews will move to a location near Ducktrap Village in Lincolnville where they will continue the pre-winter road maintenance. Talbot said the roadwork is an extension of a project from 2011, when similar work was performed on stretches Belfast Road. He said the target areas of road are especially prone to ice in the winter.

"We want to be sure that water doesn't create icing problems," he said. "We put it off as long as we could for the season."

Courier Publications reporter Jenna Lookner can be reached at 236-8511 or by email at jlookner@courierpublicationsllc.com