AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation today announced the launch of a Workforce Transportation Pilot program, an initiative of Governor Janet Mills' Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan, to pursue and develop transportation solutions that connect workers with employers across Maine.

Due to the economic consequences of the pandemic, many Maine workers and businesses are having to look farther afield to meet their needs - employers to find qualified employees and people to find job opportunities that match their skills.

WATERVILLE - The Maine Department of Transportation has resumed paving work and making other repairs on part of Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville. The project area runs approximately 1.7 miles between West River Road (at Messalonskee Stream) and First Park. This project involves paving work, road construction, drainage improvements, and some sidewalk rehabilitation. Work began last June. The project is scheduled to be finished by June 30th.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY - The Maine Department of Transportation is resuming the work on Route 202 in Gorham and Windham that began last July. The project area begins at the intersection of Routes 202 and 25 in Gorham and extends north on Route 202 for almost four miles, ending at Mechanic Street in Windham. Most of the work this year will occur near the Windham end of the project. Crews will be paving as well as making improvements to sidewalks and pedestrian ramps. Travel lanes will be narrowed, and drivers may encounter an alternating single-lane traffic pattern at times.

HAMPDEN - As part of the ongoing work on the Hampden Bridge Bundle Project, the Maine Department of Transportation will begin shifting I-95 traffic to the new southbound bridges next week.

On Tuesday, May 24th, southbound interstate traffic will be shifted to the newly constructed East Bridge over the Souadabscook Stream. Interstate speed limits will be reduced to 55 MPH throughout the work zone. Drivers should drive carefully, observe signage, and obey speed limits while passing through work zones. The safety of work crews is MaineDOT's top priority.

WISCASSET - The Maine Department of Transportation will be repairing a railroad crossing on Route 1 in Wiscasset on Tuesday night. This work will require a detour from 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24th until 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25th. Route 1 traffic will be detoured using Federal Street (Route 218) and Sheepscot Road. MaineDOT crews will be performing this work the assistance of Canadian Pacific Railway and staff from Maine Track Maintenance of Fairfield. The cost of this railroad crossing repair is approximately $15,000.

BANGOR - The Maine Department of Transportation is completing paving work on I-95 between Exits 174 and 187 in Bangor. This project will involve the closure of various interstate ramps. Ramp closures will occur between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. The department will use message boards to notify drivers. This work started on May 15th and is scheduled to be finished by July 14th.

PRENTISS - The Maine Department of Transportation is closing the Jones Bridge in Prentis to replace the bridge deck and extend the life of the structure. Jones Bridge carries Route 170 over Mattagodus Stream. It is located near the intersection of Route 170 and Tar Ridge Road. This full closure is expected to run from May 31st through July 1st. Detour routes will be marked.

HAMPDEN - The Maine Department of Transportation opened the new East Souadabscook Stream Bridge to traffic on the southbound side of I-95 this morning. This is the first of four new southbound bridges on I-95 in Hampden that will be opened this year. The Center and West Souadabscook Stream Bridges are expected to open next month. The last of the four new southbound bridges, the Emerson Mill Road bridge, is scheduled to be opened in late August or early September.

The first version of this press release did not specify that only runs on the Capt. Richard G. Spear are impacted. All runs on the the Capt. E. Frank Thompson are currently on schedule.

BOOTHBAY - The Maine Department of Transportation will be making improvements on River Road in Boothbay next month. The specific project area is about a half-mile north of the intersection of River Road and Route 27. Crews will be replacing culverts, widening the shoulder, and replacing the guardrail. This work will require the full closure of River Road throughout the duration of the project. Work is scheduled to begin on June 6th and end by June 24th. Drivers should use McKay Road as a detour. The contractor on this project is Littlefields Construction of Buxton.