Boston - Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David B. Bernhardt, PE, has been chosen by the Board of Directors of AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) to serve as its next president for 2017.

AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation departments in the fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Its primary goal is to foster the development, operation and maintenance of an integrated national transportation system.

Yarmouth ? A crash at mile 16 southbound on I-295 in Yarmouth has reduced traffic to one lane of travel in the area.

There are currently significant delays southbound and motorists are advised to seek an alternate route.

Emergency personnel are responding to the scene.

Bath ? Now that demolition work on the old viaduct is being wrapped up, contractors are beginning to build the new Bath Viaduct. MaineDOT wants drivers to know what to expect and is advising all to plan ahead and allow extra time, and is reminding everyone that all businesses in Historic Downtown Bath are accessible throughout the project.

From the Department of Public Safety:

State Police plan to have additional troopers on patrol and their plane in the air for the long Thanksgiving weekend.

Augusta - The new traffic signal at the intersection of Civic Center Dr. (Rte. 27), Darin Dr. and the newly relocated Blue Star Avenue in Augusta was put into operation on Monday, November 21st.

The Contractor, McGee Construction, was a week and a half ahead of schedule. The newly relocated Blue Star Avenue now provides access at the signal to the Comfort Inn and 99 Restaurant approaching from Belgrade off of Route 27.

Augusta ? Speeds continue to be lowered to 45 mph on I-295 from Topsham to Gardiner due to weather and road conditions.

Motorists are advised to use caution.

Jonesport ? The Jonesport-Beals Island Bridge will undergo repairs to its fender system following an incident on December 7th in which a marine vessel struck the bridge.

Crews will be repairing and retrofitting portions of the bridge?s fender system which helps to absorb impacts of this nature.

All work will be done during daylight hours beginning on Monday, December 19.

While there will be no impact to motorists, the channel will be restricted during the time work is performed.

It is anticipated all work will be completed within the first week of January, 2017.

Bar Harbor ? On Tuesday, December 27th, MaineDOT contractors began placing signage on the approaches to the 4.8 mile section of Route 3 that will be reconstructed and improved over the next two and a half years. The $17.9 million project will span from a point 0.57 miles west of Sand Point Road to the intersection of Route 3/Eden Street and Route 233 in Bar Harbor. Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, January 9th with clearing plus utility and drainage improvements.

Holden - A severe crash has closed Route 1A in Holden.

The location is just off of I-395. Motorists will be detoured onto Route 46 and should expect delays.

Emergency personnel have arrived at the scene.

There is no word on when the scene will be cleared.

Bath ? As 2017 kicks off, MaineDOT and its contractors are reporting good progress on the construction of the new Bath Viaduct. 15 of 19 pier columns have been completed, 10 of 19 pier caps are done, and the first of 20 superstructure spans has been put in place. Overall, MaineDOT Resident Glenn Philbrook estimates that work is approximately three weeks ahead of schedule.