MaineDOT News Releases

Following are the latest news releases issued by The Maine Department of Transportation.

3/19/2025: Emergency Closure of College Road in Lewiston Today

MaineDOT

News Release for March 19, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

LEWISTON - The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing College Road in Lewiston today as crews work to repair a sinkhole that formed because of a culvert failure. Crews are working to assess the damage to determine next steps. Signs will direct drivers to a detour route that uses Route 202 and Stetson Road.

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3/19/2025: Southbound Closure of I-95 in Pittsfield on Friday

MaineDOT

News Release for March 19, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

PITTSFIELD - The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing the southbound side of I-95 near Mile Marker 152 in Pittsfield from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 21. This closure is necessary while crews repair pavement on the median crossover. Southbound traffic should detour to exit 157 Newport and utilize Route 100, and Somerset Avenue to Exit 150 in Pittsfield where drivers can reenter I-95. Detour routes will be signed. This is part of the ongoing project to replace interstate bridge decks on the bridges that carry the interstate over the Sebasticook River and Route 152. The contractor on this project is Northeast Paving of Bangor. The construction contract amount is approximately $3.7 million.

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3/10/2025: UPDATED - Ramp Closure on I-295 in South Portland Next Week

MaineDOT

News Release for March 10, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

SOUTH PORTLAND - The Maine Department of Transportation will be restricting the ramp from Veterans Memorial Bridge to southbound I-295 to a single lane with a 12-foot width restriction. The ramp to southbound US Route 1 from Veterans Memorial Bridge will be closed and utilize a detour via Exit 3. This will be in effect until the fall of 2026. These closures are happening to accommodate construction work in the area, which includes rehabilitation to the Ramp Bridge over I-295 and the railroad, ramp/intersection reconstruction to I-295 southbound exit 4, and the installation of replacement highway lighting on I-295 in the area. The closures begin on Monday, March 17 at 6:00 a.m. The contractor on this work is Wyman & Simpson of Richmond. The contract amount is approximately $12.4 million.

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3/10/2025: Bridge Closure in Wilton

MaineDOT

News Release for March 10, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

WILTON - The Maine Department of Transportation is replacing the Bridges Bridge in Wilton. The bridge carries traffic over Wilson Stream on Pond Road. The current structure was installed in 1928 and is past its useful life. The new bridge will be 75 feet long and 24-feet-wide, four feet wider than the current bridge. Work will begin Monday, March 17th and is anticipated to be completed in November. Signs will direct drivers to a detour route utilizing Routes 156 and 2. The contractor on this project is CPM Constructors of Freeport. The contract amount is approximately $1.8 million.

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3/4/2025: CORRECTION: I-95 Southbound Lane Closure in Bangor on Wednesday

MaineDOT

News Release for March 4, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

An earlier version of this press release incorrectly stated the closure was happening on Tuesday. It is happening on Wednesday.

BANGOR - The Maine Department of Transportation will be performing a southbound lane closure on I-95 where it passes over Broadway in Bangor on Wednesday, March 5th. This closure is scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This closure is required to accommodate the set-up of equipment and the safety of workers. Southbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane through the work zone. Northbound lanes will not be affected.

On-site construction for this bridge replacement project began in June 2023. This project is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative, involving bridge replacements and intersection enhancements. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

This project was the recipient of approximately $9.3 million in federal funding through a 2020 U.S. DOT INFRA Grant. The contractor on this project is New England Infrastructure, Inc. of Hudson, Massachusetts. The contract amount is $30.6 million.

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2/28/2025: I-95 Southbound Lane Closure in Bangor on Monday

MaineDOT

News Release for February 28, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

BANGOR - The Maine Department of Transportation will be performing a southbound lane closure on I-95 where it passes over Broadway in Bangor on Monday, March 3rd. This closure is scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This closure is required to accommodate the set-up of equipment and the safety of workers. Southbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane through the work zone. Northbound lanes will not be affected.

On-site construction for this bridge replacement project began in June 2023. This project is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative, involving bridge replacements and intersection enhancements. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

This project was the recipient of approximately $9.3 million in federal funding through a 2020 U.S. DOT INFRA Grant. The contractor on this project is New England Infrastructure, Inc. of Hudson, Massachusetts. The contract amount is $30.6 million.

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2/21/2025: I-95 Southbound Lane Closure in Bangor on Monday

MaineDOT

News Release for February 21, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

BANGOR - The Maine Department of Transportation will be performing a southbound lane closure on I-95 where it passes over Broadway in Bangor on Monday, February 24th. This closure is scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This closure is required to accommodate the set-up of equipment and the safety of workers. Southbound traffic will be reduced to a single lane through the work zone. Northbound lanes will not be affected.

On-site construction for this bridge replacement project began in June 2023. This project is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative, involving bridge replacements and intersection enhancements. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

This project was the recipient of approximately $9.3 million in federal funding through a 2020 U.S. DOT INFRA Grant. The contractor on this project is New England Infrastructure, Inc. of Hudson, Massachusetts. The contract amount is $30.6 million.

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2/18/2025: UPDATE: Overnight Closures of I-295

MaineDOT

News Release for February 18, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

CUMBERLAND COUNTY - The Maine Department of Transportation is planning to fully close the southbound side of I-295 between Exit 10 and Falmouth and Exit 15 in Yarmouth during two overnight periods this week. The closures will occur on the nights of Tuesday, February 18th and Wednesday, February 19th. The closures will run from 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. the following morning. These closures are required so crews can safely install structural steel at the Johnson Road Bridge project at Mile Marker 12 in Falmouth.

Full closures of the northbound side of the interstate are scheduled for the nights of Thursday, February 20th and Monday, February 24th.

During these closures, the I-295 northbound on-ramp from the Falmouth Spur will also be closed.

The same detour route will be used for both southbound and northbound interstate closures. Traffic should use Route 1 and Bucknam Road to get between Exits 10 and 15 on I-295.

Construction schedules are weather-dependent.

The contractor on the project is Wyman & Simpson, Inc. of Richmond. The construction contract amount is approximately $7.8 million.

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1/31/2025: New Temporary Western Avenue Traffic in Place in Augusta

MaineDOT

News Release for January 31, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation has now completed shifting Western Avenue (Route 202) traffic in Augusta to a temporary bridge. This is part of the ongoing work to replace the bridge that carries Western Avenue over I-95 at Exit 109.

Through traffic is narrowed to two lanes: one eastbound lane and one westbound lane, with a third lane on the bridge specific to the westbound off-ramp traffic. Vehicles will continue to use the temporary bridge until the new permanent bridge is constructed and opened at the end of this year.

The left-hand turn lane from Western Avenue onto Whitten Road is also closed. Westbound drivers who want to access Whitten Road can use the southbound interstate on-ramps to access the new connection between the interstate on-ramp and Whitten Road.

The southbound Exit 109 off-ramp will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

The existing Western Avenue bridge is approximately 70 years old. MaineDOT is replacing the structure with a new bridge on a similar alignment. The new bridge will provide additional vertical clearance on the interstate. It will also include sidewalks on both sides of the bridge and approximately 1,350 feet of new sidewalk along Western Avenue and Whitten Road to improve pedestrian access and safety.

On-site construction for this project started in November 2023. All construction is scheduled to be done in June 2026.

The contractor for this project is Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich. The contract amount is approximately $30 million.

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1/21/2025: MaineDOT Schedules Upcoming Traffic Shifts on Western Avenue at I-95 in Augusta

MaineDOT

News Release for January 21, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation expects to begin shifting Western Avenue (Route 202) traffic in Augusta to a temporary bridge this weekend as part of the ongoing work to replace the bridge that carries Western Avenue over I-95 at Exit 109.

MaineDOT expects to move westbound traffic onto the temporary bridge by Sunday, January 26th. Crews will also be closing the left-hand turn lane from Western Avenue onto Whitten Road. Westbound drivers who want to access Whitten Road can use the southbound interstate on-ramps to access the new connection between the interstate on-ramp and Whitten Road.

Eastbound Western Avenue traffic will continue to use the existing bridge for several days until striping operations have been completed. Exit 109B from I-95 southbound will also be reopening when all traffic has shifted to the temporary bridge, which should happen by Wednesday, January 29th.

The department will be using flaggers and police details to assist with traffic control during these transitions. We urge drivers to be careful and patient during the changes. As with all outdoor construction work, these schedules are heavily dependent on the weather.

Through traffic will be narrowed to two lanes: one eastbound lane and one westbound lane, with a third lane on the bridge specific to the westbound off-ramp traffic. Vehicles will continue to use the temporary bridge until the new permanent bridge is constructed and opened at the end of this year.

The existing Western Avenue bridge is approximately 70 years old. MaineDOT is replacing the structure with a new bridge on a similar alignment. The new bridge will provide additional vertical clearance on the interstate. It will also include sidewalks on both sides of the bridge and approximately 1,350 feet of new sidewalk along Western Avenue and Whitten Road to improve pedestrian access and safety.

On-site construction for this project started in November 2023. All construction is scheduled to be done in June 2026.

The contractor for this project is Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich. The contract amount is approximately $30 million.

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1/16/2025: Bridge Replacement Work in Albion

MaineDOT

News Release for January 16, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

ALBION - The Maine Department of Transportation is replacing the Puddle Dock Bridge in Albion. The bridge carries traffic over Fifteenmile Stream on South Freedom Road. The current structure was installed in 1933 and is past its useful life. The new bridge will be 104-feet-long and have 11-foot-wide travel lanes with three-foot-wide shoulders. Work began this month and is anticipated to be completed in November. The road will be closed until all work has been completed. Signs direct drivers to a detour route. The contractor on this project is CPM Constructors of Freeport. The contract amount is approximately $2.3 million.

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1/13/2025: MaineDOT Prevails in Federal Appeals Court Decision on Frank J. Wood Bridge Replacement

MaineDOT

News Release for January 13, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

AUGUSTA - The First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Boston has affirmed the U.S. District Court's decision supporting MaineDOT's replacement of the Frank J. Wood Bridge. The Circuit Court decision, issued on Friday, upholds a District Court decision that was issued in January 2024.

"This latest ruling reaffirms that the decision to replace the Frank J. Wood Bridge, rather than rehabilitate the existing structure, was and is the best way to continue to provide a safe and reliable connection between the villages of Brunswick and Topsham," said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. "This is the eighth court ruling since 2020 that supports the new bridge decision made by the state and federal transportation officials after an extensive public and permitting process. While a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court to request further appeal is possible, we hope that the consistency and strength of the prior legal rulings, the low likelihood of success of such petitions, and the widespread support for the new bridge will lead the plaintiffs to conclude that it is time to end this lengthy and expensive legal process."

The Frank J. Wood Bridge carries Route 201 over the Androscoggin River between Brunswick and Topsham. The existing bridge is more than 90 years old. It is fracture critical and rated in poor condition. Since November 2021, MaineDOT has prohibited all commercial traffic from using the current bridge.

MaineDOT began the process to improve this crossing in 2014. Legal and process delays through a period of extraordinary construction inflation caused the new bridge costs to more than triple original conceptual estimates. In February 2023, a contract for the new bridge was awarded to Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich for $49.9 million.

On-site construction on the replacement bridge began in April 2023. Steel beams are currently being placed on the new piers and abutments. All work associated with the construction contract is scheduled to be finished in late 2026, but the new bridge is expected to be open to traffic earlier than that.

Once complete, the Towns of Brunswick and Topsham will be connected by a safe and reliable new bridge, located on a curved upstream alignment, that will feature enhancements requested by a local design advisory committee. Designed to last for at least 100 years, the new bridge will have sidewalks on both sides with pedestrian viewing bump-outs, wider shoulders on both sides, parks on both ends, special railings, lighting and other design details, and unobstructed views of the natural and architectural features of the surrounding Pejepscot Falls site.

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1/10/2025: Upcoming Lane Closure on Broadway in Bangor

MaineDOT

News Release for January 10, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

BANGOR - The Maine Department of Transportation will be performing work on the bridges that carry I-95 traffic over Broadway in Bangor. We will be reducing traffic to a single lane on Broadway beginning on Wednesday, January 15th and extending through Friday, January 17th. This closure will occur between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Work dates will be weather-dependent.

This lane closure is required so crews can perform excavation of the western abutment for the new bridge. Traffic on I-95 will not be impacted. During this time, a single, eastbound lane of traffic will be maintained. There will be two lanes open for westbound traffic. Message boards will advise motorists of the closure. Pedestrian traffic will be guided by flaggers stationed at the project location.

On-site construction for this bridge replacement project began in June 2023. This project is a comprehensive, multi-year initiative, involving bridge replacements and intersection enhancements. This project is scheduled for completion in late 2026.

This project was the recipient of approximately $9.3 million in federal funding through a 2020 U.S. DOT INFRA Grant. The contractor on this project is New England Infrastructure, Inc. of Hudson, Massachusetts. The contract amount is $30.6 million.

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1/9/2025: MaineDOT Selects Operator for Rockland Branch Railroad

MaineDOT

News Release for January 9, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation has selected Maine Switching Services (MSS) of Unity to take over operations and maintenance of the Rockland Branch Railroad.

MSS is a privately owned, railroad services company that provides rail car repair in Unity and industrial rail car switching for paper mills in Rumford and Skowhegan. The company already operates on the state-owned Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railroad in cooperation with the Belfast and Moosehead Lake Railway.

MSS intends to resume freight service to existing rail customers on the Rockland Branch this spring and offer scenic train rides and rail excursions by this fall. This will preserve active rail service while MaineDOT continues to evaluate significant bridge infrastructure needs on the line. MSS's proposal does not involve providing host railroad services for an Amtrak Downeaster extension on the Rockland Branch Railroad.

"We believe Maine Switching Services has the experience necessary to provide high-quality freight service for customers on the Rockland Branch Railroad," said MaineDOT Commissioner Bruce Van Note. "We look forward to growing our partnership with MSS as we work together to overcome the challenges created by the closure of the major freight shipper on the line - Dragon Cement in 2024."

MaineDOT and MSS will now enter into negotiations on a lease and operating agreement over the next 60 days while MSS obtains operating rights from the Federal Surface Transportation Board and other required certifications.

The Rockland Branch Railroad is a 56-mile-long, state-owned rail line that runs from Brunswick to Rockland. Service on the line had previously been operated by Midcoast Railservice, Inc. until August 2024.

In September, MaineDOT posted a request for proposals (RFP) for service on the Rockland Branch. MSS was one of five respondents to the RFP.

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1/7/2025: Upcoming Traffic Shift on Western Avenue at I-95 in Augusta

MaineDOT

News Release for January 7, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

AUGUSTA - The Maine Department of Transportation will be shifting Western Avenue (Route 202) traffic in Augusta to a temporary bridge over I-95 later this month. Through traffic will be narrowed to two lanes: one eastbound lane and one westbound lane, with a third lane on the bridge specific to the westbound off ramp traffic. This traffic shift is necessary while crews demolish the existing structure and continue construction of a new bridge to carry Western Avenue over the interstate at Exit 109. Vehicles will continue to use the temporary bridge until the new permanent bridge is constructed and opened. The contractor is allowed 11 months to complete this work. Exit 109B from I-95 southbound will also be reopening when traffic shifts to the temporary bridge.

Additionally, westbound traffic will no longer be able to turn left onto Whitten Road. Westbound drivers who want to access Whitten Road can use the southbound interstate on-ramps to access the new connection between the interstate on-ramp and Whitten Road.

The existing Western Avenue bridge is approximately 70 years old. MaineDOT is replacing the structure with a new bridge on a similar alignment. The new bridge will provide additional vertical clearance on the interstate. It will also include sidewalks on both sides of the bridge and approximately 1,350 feet of new sidewalk along Western Avenue and Whitten Road to improve pedestrian access and safety.

On-site construction for this project started in November 2023. All construction is scheduled to be done in June 2026.

The contractor for this project is Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich. The contract amount is approximately $30 million.

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1/3/2025: Southbound Closure of I-95 in Pittsfield on Monday Night

MaineDOT

News Release for January 3, 2025

For more Information:
Communications Team - 207-215-9297

PITTSFIELD - The Maine Department of Transportation will be closing the southbound side of I-95 near Mile Marker 152 in Pittsfield from 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 6th until 5:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7th. This closure is necessary while crews repair pavement on the median crossover. This is part of the ongoing project to replace interstate bridge decks on the bridges that carry the interstate over the Sebasticook River and Route 152. The contractor on this project is Northeast Paving of Bangor. The construction contract amount is approximately $3.7 million.

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