Due to a nationwide shortage of highway-striping paints, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) is proactively shifting this season?s schedules for its road-striping crews. The schedule adjustments will result in reprioritizing striping activities from an ?area-based? approach to painting Maine?s Interstate highways first, and unlike most years, performing Interstate work during the day. In addition, even if the shortage eases in the coming months, some striping that is usually performed yearly or bi-annually may not be able to be done during the 2010 season.

Motorists who utilize Route 43 west of the Town Farm Road in Farmington need to be aware of an upcoming road closure on Route 43.

Starting Wednesday, June 23 and continuing until July 2, a section of Route 43 between the Morrison Hill Road and Marvel Street in Farmington will be closed so MaineDOT crews can strengthen an unstable slope area that is causing a portion of that road to sag. Crews will first stabilize the slope, then rebuild the sagging road portion, and repave the repaired section.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will begin its annual vegetation control program along state controlled railway systems starting Monday, June 21, and continuing through Thursday, June 24 on rail lines through out the state.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will begin spraying along state roads in northern Aroostook county in order to control unwanted vegetation growing under guardrails starting the week of June 21.

?Last year we began a strategic program designed to eliminate unwanted growth around guardrail structures in some of our regions,? explained Bob Moosmann, who oversees the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program for the Department.

An approximately two-mile section of Routes 105/131 in Appleton will be temporarily closed next week to allow Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) crews to replace two cross-culverts. The road closure is scheduled to begin at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, June 28. Assuming that the work goes as planned, the road will be reopened by the end of the day on Thursday, July 1.

On July 6, the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will begin rehabilitation work to the New Bridge, located in Damariscotta Mills at the Newcastle-Nobleboro town line. The New Bridge carries Route 215, also known as the Mills Road, over the outlet of Damariscotta Lake.

The work will involve removal and replacement of the badly deteriorated concrete wearing surface on the bridge.

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) will begin its annual brush-control program along Maine?s highways starting Tuesday, July 6th, in locations throughout the state.

?We will spray selected roads in 4 of our 5 regions statewide this year. Only one region, Region 1, headquartered in Scarborough, will not be spraying brush along state roadsides in 2010,? explained Bob Moosmann, MaineDOT?s statewide vegetation manager who oversees the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Program for the department.

The Route 1A highway reconstruction and widening project in Ellsworth will stop from noon on Thursday, July 1 until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 to accommodate holiday traffic headed to and from the DownEast and Acadia regions. There is a possibility of some paving work on Thursday night until 6 a.m. Friday morning.

Work is progressing as planned on the highway project that will result in wider travel lanes, paved shoulders and a smoother road surface along Route 1A.

MaineDOT bridge maintenance crews are set to begin repair work on the Buttermilk Cove Bridge in Brunswick, which carries Prince?s Point Road over a narrow section of Buttermilk Cove. Construction is set to begin Monday, July 19.

Traffic will be reduced to one lane during the duration of the 8-week project, and will be regulated by ?STOP? and ?Proceed When Clear? traffic signs.

Crews will be removing and then replacing the bridge?s traveling surface. If there are no weather-related delays, the project is expected to be completed within eight weeks.

MaineDOT bridge maintenance crews are set to begin repairs to the New Bridge on Route 215 on the Newcastle/Nobleboro town line. The New Bridge spans the outlet of Damariscotta Lake.

Crews will be replacing the concrete travel surface of the bridge, which provides for a smoother ride while protecting the bridge substructure. During the construction, traffic will be limited to one lane of alternating one-way traffic regulated by ?STOP? and ?Proceed When Clear? signs. If there are no weather-related delays, the project is expected to be completed within six weeks.