New Wal-Mart Brings New Problems

As "old" Wal-Marts are replaced by shiny new Wal-Mart Super Centers, communities like Waterville, Maine struggle to deal with the consequences. Since Wal-Mart opened its new Supercenter on Wednesday, Upper Main Street has seen a surge in traffic jams. Vehicle lines at lunchtime and after office hours reach as far as a half-mile down the thoroughfare.With future developments in the pipeline for Waterville Commons, possibly including Starbucks, Blockbuster and Taco Bell, the traffic situation there appears ripe for resolution. The mall already includes Staples, Home Depot and Ruby Tuesday."It's terrible," said Larry Dickey, a Waterville man who was visiting the new Wal-Mart for the first time Sunday. "It took me 15 minutes to get from McDonald's (on Upper Main Street) to here. It needs another lane, I would say."