Naples - Friday, May 18th marked the celebration of the opening of the new Bay of Naples Bridge in Naples. This concrete structure, with a walkway stretching underneath for pedestrians, is the culmination of nearly two years of dedication toward the Naples Causeway vision.

The day started at 1pm with remarks by Rep. Rich Cebra of Naples, MaineDOT Deputy Commissioner Bruce Van Note and chairman of the Causeway Restoration Committee, Robert Neault. They remarked on the dedicated cooperation of the state, town and contractors that were so vital in seeing the project become a reality.

Naples ? Crews have finished removing the swing bridge at the Causeway in Naples as of last night, meaning the channel is open for recreational boating.

As part of the continued improvements to the area, there will be paving on Route 302 in Naples Thursday (5/24) and Friday (5/25) from the Causeway eastbound toward Windham for approximately one-quarter mile, including the intersection of Route 35.

Paving hours on Thursday will be from 6:30am to 7:30pm. Friday?s paving hours are from 4:00am to noon.

Portland ? I-295 northbound at Exit 8, the Washington Avenue off ramp at Tukey?s Bridge, is expected to open to traffic by 5:00pm today. A culvert failure from this morning?s storms forced crews to close the ramp until the cleanup work could be completed.

All northbound traffic will be able to access the Washington Avenue exit off ramp heading northbound by 5:00pm today.

Portland ? I-295 at Exit 8 northbound, the Washington Avenue exit in Portland on Tukey?s Bridge, is closed due to a washout. Crews are on the scene and expect the closure to be in place for the next several hours.

Motorists are advised to seek an alternate route while crews continue to address the situation.

Westbrook ? Underground utility work that began on April 6th at the Cumberland Street Bridge in Westbrook will continue until June 22nd. Long delays are expected through the area. There are lane closures at night and traffic shifts during the daytime hours, so drivers should consider traveling the mandatory truck detour route beginning and ending at the intersections of Bridge Street and Cumberland Street, as well as Warren Avenue and Main Street. (Route 25). This alternate route will be in effect until the completion of the bridge construction, scheduled for November of 2013.

Lewiston/Auburn ? A safety inspection on the Bernard Lown Peace Bridge, which spans the Androscoggin River from Cedar Street in Lewiston to Broad Street in Auburn, will start the week of June 4th, ending on Friday, June 8th. Crews will begin their work at 8am by reducing traffic from two lanes to one in each direction. The daily inspection will end each evening, with crews opening both lanes of travel for the evening and overnight hours.

The inspection, being performed by Parsons Binkerhoff, is weather dependent. As a result, dates may be adjusted accordingly.

Naples ? Paving on Route 302 in Naples will resume Thursday, June 7th and Friday, June 8th from the new Bay of Naples Bridge east for a quarter mile. This work includes paving the intersection of Route 35. With major delays expected through the area, flaggers and the state police will help guide motorists traveling the alternating one-way traffic pattern.

The hours of paving are: Thursday from 7am to 7pm, and Friday from 7am until noon.

This project is weather dependent, so the hours may be adjusted accordingly.

Buxton/Hollis ? The Bar Mills Bridge and Canal Bridge that spans the Saco River and Canal on Route 4A from Buxton to Hollis is undergoing a safety inspection until June 15th. Starting June 7th, flaggers will assist drivers through the area as traffic will be directed into an alternating single lane. Minor delays are expected.

The project is weather dependant, so dates may be adjusted accordingly.

The inspection work is being performed by TransSystems of Boston, Massachusetts.

Casco/Naples ? Due to the heavy rainfall this week, the Songo Locks swing bridge will be closed to all commercial and recreational boating traffic this weekend. High water and debris are preventing operators from properly operating the swing bridge as needed.

If the water recedes enough by Monday, June 11, crews will open and operate the bridge as normal.

Hollis ? Hollis paving work with traffic impacts begin on Monday, June 11th. The project is on Route 117 at the intersection of Route 4 and 202. Crews will move northwesterly for approximately six miles to the intersection of Plains Road at Deer Pond.

Flaggers will assist the alternating one way traffic through the area, with minor delays expected.

While the work from Pike Industries is weather dependant, it is expected to be completed in 4 to 5 days.