Sen. Bailey shares 2026 MDOT work plan for state bridge and road projects

Posted: March 03, 2026 | Senator Bailey

AUGUSTA – Sen. Donna Bailey, D-Saco, is pleased to announce the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for Senate District 31. The plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge and other transportation upgrades and maintenance projects.

According to the Maine DOT, the three-year work plan makes a $4.5 billion investment in the construction and maintenance of transportation infrastructure across the state. It includes 2,798 individual work items for the calendar years 2026, 2027 and 2028.

In 2026, the Maine DOT will undertake numerous projects to improve transportation in Senate District 31, such as replacing the Salmon Falls Bridge on the Hollis-Buxton Town Line, which was recently renamed the Salmon Falls Veterans Memorial Bridge via legislation sponsored by Sen. Bailey, and building the Saco Island Multimodal Bridge over the Saco River.

“For as long as I have served in the Legislature, I have been proud to vote for investments in transportation projects across the district – and the state,” said Sen. Bailey. “Whether a bridge or a culvert, we have a responsibility to build, improve and maintain these critical pieces of infrastructure that connect our communities all year long.” 

The following breakdown is the planned capital and maintenance work by MDOT for communities in Senate District 31 in calendar year 2026:

Bicycle/Pedestrian

  • Saco: Build the Saco Island Multimodal Bridge over the Saco River, extending the Saco-Biddeford Riverwalk Trail.
  • Saco: Build on-road sidewalk and trail on Industrial Park Road at the intersection of Industrial Park Road and I-95 Exit 1, including 0.15 of a mile of sidewalk.

Bridge and Structural Maintenance

  • Buxton: Replace Salmon Falls Bridge, which carries Route 202 over the Saco River, located on the Hollis-Buxton Town Line.
  • Saco: Replace the joint seals on Somesville Bridge, which carries Market Street over the Saco River.

Bus

  • Old Orchard Beach: Improve 17 bus stops between Old Orchard Beach and South Portland.
  • Old Orchard Beach, Saco: Make improvements to bus stops for Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach (BSOOB) Transit.
  • Old Orchard Beach, Saco: Partially replace one diesel public transit bus.
  • Old Orchard Beach, Saco: Purchase four new buses.
  • Saco: Purchase IT systems for Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach (BSOOB) Transit.
  • Saco: Use State Transit Funding for Biddeford-Saco-Old Orchard Beach (BSOOB) Transit, allocated by the Legislature in 2024.
  • Saco: Purchase one 35-foot hybrid bus.

Drainage Maintenance

  • Buxton: Ditch along Route 112, beginning at the intersection of Depot Street and extending 1.16 miles northwest to the intersection of Back Nippen Road.
  • Saco: Make improvements to a large culvert underneath Route 9 for future storm conditions, located 0.06 of a mile west of Seaside Avenue.

Highway Paving

  • Saco: Pave Route 1, beginning at Ocean Park Road and extending north 2.69 miles.

Highway Safety and Spot Improvements

  • Saco: Make safety improvements to Route 9 at the intersection of Route 112 and Simpson Road, beginning at the Biddeford Town Line and extending north 0.18 of a mile to Gooch Street.

View the entire 2026-2027-2028 Three-Year MDOT Work Plan at www.mainedot.gov.

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