As the peak summer travel season approaches, the Maine Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority are working to help members of the traveling public make good decisions based on real-time data.

We are installing new travel signs along I-95 and I-295. These signs will share traffic information with motorists based on data that are collected anonymously from various mobile devices along the two interstates. This initiative is part of a national trend to use intelligent transportation systems to improve safety and mobility.

GUILFORD - On April 29th, the Maine Department of Transportation will begin road work on Water Street (Routes 6 and 15) in the Town of Guilford in Piscataquis County. The work will extend from where Water Street meets High Street to the intersection of Sebec Shore Road. Crews will be resurfacing the road, reconstructing sidewalk ramps, and replacing guard rails. Traffic will be restricted to a single lane during working hours. Northeast Paving of Hampden is the contractor. The work is expected to be finished by June 1st.

SOUTH PORTLAND - Maine Department of Transportation workers will be repairing a bridge joint on the Route 1 South exit ramp from the Veterans Memorial Bridge leading to Main Street on Monday, April 29th. The exit ramp bridge crosses over I-295. The ramp will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until the work is finished later in the day. A message board will advise drivers of the closure and direct traffic to use Exit 3 off I-295 as an alternate route.

Week of April 28th through May 4th

Beginning Tuesday night (April 30th), the contractor will begin milling operations on Main Street in Wiscasset. Milling will start at the bridge and proceed westerly to the end of the project. The contractor will mill the majority of the asphalt, leaving approximately one inch for drivers. Milling operations will continue on Main Street and Water Street (north) until this phase is complete; we expect this phase to take two or three days.

Week of May 5th through May 11th

WASHINGTON COUNTY - The Maine Department of Transportation is continuing preservation work on Route 9 in Washington County. Crews had about one month more of work to finish after the winter. The construction period extends along nearly 18 miles of Route 9. The work area begins along the border of T30 MD BPP and T24 MD BPP, goes east through Day Block Township, continues through Wesley, and ends in T26 ED BPP. Daily lane closures are expected during daylight hours from Monday through Saturday. Northeast Paving of Eurovia is doing the work, which is expected to be finished by May 25th.

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY - The Maine Department of Transportation is conducting milling and paving work on Route 4 in Androscoggin County. The work area begins in Auburn just north of Fair Street. It extends more than 17 miles north, through Turner, and ends just north of Church Street in Livermore. Crews may restrict travel to alternating one-way traffic during the construction period. Northeast Paving of Lewiston is the contractor doing the work, which is expected to be finished by May 19th.

ISLAND FALLS - The Maine Department of Transportation is conducting bridge work in the Aroostook County town of Island Falls. Crews will be replacing the deck and repairing the substructure of the Randall Bridge, which carries Old Patten Road over the Mattawamkeag River. The bridge is just north of the Route 159 junction. During this work, traffic will be detoured using Shur Road. Northeast Paving of Presque Isle is the contractor on this job. The work is expected to be finished by November 15th.

PROSPECT - The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory season opening will be delayed. The Maine Department of Transportation had hoped to open the observatory for the season on May 1st. A malfunctioning fire suppression system is forcing us to delay the opening by at least several days. We hope to have the observatory open by next week.

The Maine Department of Transportation will be holding a public workshop in Portland this evening to discuss the upcoming I-295 Veranda Street Bridge Replacement Project. This is part of an ongoing effort to engage the public. The purpose of this workshop is to solicit meaningful public input and feedback regarding project design and implementation.

BAR HARBOR - The Maine Department of Transportation will be doing paving work on Route 3 in Bar Harbor during the first few weeks of this month. We will be reinstating the one-way detour that uses Park Loop Road. Access to all homes and businesses along Route 3 will be maintained throughout the paving process.