Portland ? Paving projects will take place around Portland beginning on May 15th and ending by mid-September. Each location will feature a "shim" coat of paving and may include additional efforts such as curb work and adjustment of sewers.

The following locations are scheduled for paving:

• Veranda Street at the intersection of Washington Avenue will be paved, extending to the intersection of the on-ramps to I-295.

• Eastern Promenade paving starts at Atlantic Street and extends to Washington Avenue.

Manchester ? Two cross culverts in Manchester will be replaced starting on May 21st resulting in a road closure beginning at the intersection of the Collins Road and Pond Road.

Variable message boards along with additional signage will guide travelers through the 5 mile detour route from the Pond and Collins Road to Benson Road to Hallowell-Litchfield Road to Collins Mills Road to the Neck Road.

The detour will be in effect from May 21st until May 24th.

Eddington ?While work continues on the Mill Stream Bridge in Eddington, crews will be conducting a load test during the afternoon of Tuesday, May 21st. (Rain date of Wednesday, May 22nd)

The Advanced Structures and Composites Center at the University of Maine has been contacted by MaineDOT to conduct this live load test. The goal is to provide a more accurate load rating for the bridge.

All traffic will be stopped for a period of up to five minutes during each individual test. Six tests will take place throughout the afternoon.

Verona ? The Penobscot Narrows Bridge Observatory will be opening for visitors on Saturday, May 18th.

Hours of operation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. until June 30th. From July 1st through August 31st, the hours will be 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from September 1st until October 31st the hours will be 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Madawaska ? Pavement milling to remove and replace failing hot mix asphalt on Route 1 in Madawaska begins on Monday, May 20th.

This project is located on Route 1 beginning at the intersection of 3rd Street, extending westerly for 1.64 miles, ending approximately 260 ft. before the Madawaska/Frenchville town line.

In addition to the pavement work, crews will be performing under drain repair for the replacement of a collapsed pipe. This work will be located between 5th Avenue and 13th Avenue.

Auburn ? New roadway signage will be installed in Auburn during the week of May 20th. These signs will be installed on Washington Street and Minot Avenue.

On Wednesday, May 22nd and Thursday, May 23rd, motorists need to be aware of brief lane closures for 3 to 5 minutes as crews install overhead guide signs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Auburn police will be on-scene alerting motorists as each lane closure occurs.

Other sign installations will occur during the week but will not necessitate any lane closures.

Kittery ? On Thursday, May 23rd and Friday, May 24th, the Route 1 south on-ramp for Interstate 95 southbound in Kittery will be closed from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Crews will be clearing overhanging trees to provide better drainage as well as clearing winter sand.

Motorists are asked to use the Route 236 on-ramp to access Interstate 95 south or use Dennett Road during these hours to gain access from Route 236 north.

Detour signs will be in place to guide motorists away from this on-ramp.

CPM Constructors of Freeport will conduct this work which is weather dependent.

Portland ? Buckley McAllister, President of McAllister Towing & Transportation, announced today that the Maine Port Authority has selected McAllister as its partner for the design of a containerized articulated tug barge (ATB) to operate between Portland and New York for the New England Marine Highway Project.

Topsham ? A public meeting to discuss the future of the Black Free Bridge will be held on Wednesday, May 29th at the Topsham Town Office from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The town office is located at 100 Main Street in Topsham.

The Black Free Bridge, spanning the Androscoggin River, was closed in April of 2011. Officials from the MaineDOT will be on hand to report on the inspection results, tentative plans and other options moving forward.

Leeds ? Route 219 in Leeds will be closed for 5 days beginning on Monday, June 3rd due to a culvert replacement project.

This project is located on Route 219, approximately 600 ft. west of the intersection of Route 106. Message boards and detour signs will guide motorists along the 18 mile detour route of Route 133 and Route 106.

This effort involves replacing an old 5 ft. diameter corrugated metal pipe with a new 8 ft. diameter reinforced concrete pipe. Due to the depth of the excavation, it is necessary to close the road to perform the work safely.