Work plan for state bridge and road projects unveiled

Posted: January 24, 2018 | Senator Carson

AUGUSTA – Sen. Brownie Carson, D-Harpswell, is pleased to announce the details of Maine’s three-year transportation infrastructure work plan, and what it means for the state and region. The plan is released annually with an outline of the Maine Department of Transportation’s strategy for road, bridge and other transportation projects throughout the state.

“Maintaining and modernizing our infrastructure is an important foundation for economic growth — I am very pleased to see this list of investments from the department,” said Sen. Carson. “I hope that members of the public and local municipal officials find this outline of projects helpful.”

According to the MDOT, the work plan includes more than $2.3 billion worth of construction and maintenance, of which $511.1 million is scheduled for 604 capital projects in 2018. The 3 year plan estimates MDOT will invest in 229 miles of highway construction; 1,128 miles of pavement preservation; 1,800 miles of light capital paving for roads and highways; 240 spot and safety improvements; and 260 bridge construction projects.

Sen. Carson stressed the importance of funding for the MDOT work plan and its investment in the region. The following breakdown is the planned capital and maintenance work for Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, North Yarmouth and Pownal in 2018:

Aviation:

  • Safety and infrastructure improvements at the Brunswick Executive Airport (BXM) in Brunswick that may include south end obstruction removal, wildlife fencing, addition of an itinerant box hangar, electrical improvements, drainage repairs and pavement repairs

Bicycle/Pedestrian improvements:

  • Beginning at the Swinging Bridge, to Mill Street, Bow Street and Cabot Street and extending 0.32 of a mile to the Frank J. Wood Bridge (Topsham/Brunswick)

Bridge work:

  • Mill and fill wearing surface and new joint headers on Durham Road Over US Route 1 Bridge in Brunswick, located 0.07 of a mile east of Moody Road
  • Mill and fill wearing surface and replacing joint headers on Durham Road Bridge over Interstate 295 in Brunswick, located 0.15 of a mile east of Moody Road
  • Improvements at Merrill Road Bridge over Interstate 295 in Freeport, located 0.14 of a mile southeast of Hunter Road
  • Improvements at Approach Road Interchange Bridge over Interstate 295 in Freeport, located 0.44 of a mile northwest of Route 1

Custodial Maintenance:

  • Vegetation management along Route 196 beginning at the intersection of Route 201 in Topsham extending south to the intersection of Route 1 in Brunswick, and Route 1 beginning at the intersection of Mill Street extending north 8.00 miles to High Street in West Bath
  • Removing trees on Route 1 north and southbound beginning at Cook’s Corner overpass, extending north 2.25 miles to New Meadows River in Brunswick
  • Removing trees and brush beginning at the intersection of Linwood Lane in Harpswell and extending north 1.00 mile

Drainage Maintenance:

  • Replacing a large culvert between Route 136 and Woodside Lane in Freeport
  • Ditching beginning at intersection of Elmwood Road in Pownal and extending west 5.30 miles to the intersection of Parsonage Road in North Yarmouth
  • Replacing two culverts in preparation of Light Capital Paving (LCP) project, beginning 0.40 of a mile west of the intersection of Chadsey Road in Pownal and extending westerly 0.10 of a mile
  • Ditching in preparation of Light Capital Paving (LCP) project, beginning at Route 231 in New Gloucester extending east 3.05 miles to Elmwood Road in Pownal

Highway work/light paving:

  • Paving beginning at Route 1 in Brunswick and extending west 0.89 of a mile (includes ramps for a total length of 1.89 miles)
  • Paving beginning at Pleasant Street in Brunswick and extending north 0.53 of a mile to 0.06 of a mile east of Mill Street, including 0.28 of a mile on the on-ramp from Maine Street to Route 1S
  • Safety and spot improvements — overlay and stripe to provide parallel acceleration lanes at Maine Street Ramp in Brunswick
  • Paving beginning at Desert Road in Freeport and extending north 0.91 of a mile to Summer Street
  • Paving beginning at Smelt Brook Road in Freeport and extending north 1.90 miles to Porter’s Landing Road
  • Paving beginning at the Yarmouth town line and extending north 2.88 miles to Desert Road in Freeport
  • Safety and spot improvements beginning at the Interstate 295 northbound off-ramp in Freeport extending west 0.24 of a mile (includes 0.04 of a mile of divided highway)
  • Replacement of lighting at Interstate 295 Exit 22 in Freeport
  • Paving beginning 0.10 of a mile south of Route 24 in Harpswell and extending south 4.60 miles
  • Construction of a large culvert located 0.05 of a mile south of Mill Road in North Yarmouth

Click here to view local road assistance totals and maintenance accomplishments for 2017, the funding estimates for 2018 projects, and the full list of Brunswick, Freeport, Harpswell, North Yarmouth and Pownal projects for years 2019 and 2020.

The entire MDOT work plan can be viewed here.

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