EARLIER THIS WEEK, a crew from Glidden Excavating and Paving prepares for the paving job that will take place Wednesday and possibly today. One-lane closures will occur on that stretch of Route 302 near the Route 11 junction, as a turning lane is being installed to facilitate traffic traveling to Dunkin’ Donuts. (De Busk Photo)

By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Although it is company policy to expedite the order of each customer within minutes, Dunkin’ Donuts has been known to have a traffic lined up for drive-through service.

Plus, coffee customers tend to gravitate to the well-known New England franchise at the same time of the day.

Before the opening of the new Dunkin’ Donuts building in Naples, traffic issues are being addressed.

Currently, a turning lane is being installed on Route 302 by Glidden Excavating and Paving, a subcontractor for the construction project. Glidden is certified by the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT).

According to Project Supervisor Ted Coffin, the actual paving will start Wednesday and possibly extend through today.

There have been one-lane closures for the construction work, he said.

There will continue to be closures of one lane of traffic on that stretch of Route 302 through the next couple  of weeks, he said.

Crews are installing a turning lane for the eastbound lane of Roosevelt Trail.

Early next week, paving crews will use heated equipment to create a stained brick design in the asphalt of the turning lane.

Essentially, the eastbound lane will become the turning lane for Dunkin’ Donuts customers, while the shoulder of the road was extended to create a lane for traffic, Coffin said.

He said there was more paving than excavation work involved in this road improvement job. Crews placed hay in the newly-exposed ditch to prevent erosion, he said.

Pavement was removed to make way for a new batch of asphalt. Therefore, until paving occurs the lanes have been uneven.

Glidden also paved the parking lot around the new Dunkin’ Donuts building.

Dunkin’ Donuts received approval of its site plan from the Naples Planning Board this fall. Construction began this spring after the demolition of the restaurant building that stood on the property.

Additionally, construction has begun on a future Family Dollar store on the lot next to the Aubuchon Hardware Store.

So far, a grand opening date for Dunkin’ Donuts has not been set.